The first leg of the ATP “Golden Swing” takes place in Cordoba, Argentina, as some of the best clay-court players in the world flock to this 250 event. Five Round One matches are scheduled for day two in Cordoba, including a battle of clay-court maestros when Cristian Garin and Pedro Martinez square off. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Cordoba Day 2 Predictions
Thiago Monteiro vs Federico Coria
Head-to-Head: Monteiro 2-0 Coria
Thiago Monteiro and Federico Coria are clay-court specialists with a lot of experience in Cordoba’s conditions. Monteiro holds the 2-0 head-to-head advantage, but Coria is the more in-form player. The Argentine is coming off of a title in Concepcion. He dropped just one set in his five victories. I expect this match to be a three-hour burner, but I think the crowd will push Coria to the finish line in the decider.
Prediction: Coria in 3
Federico Delbonis vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Veteran Federico Delbonis and 25-year-old Alejandro Tabilo are set to meet for the first time in Cordoba. Both players sit outside the Top 130 and will be hungry to make a run this week. Delbonis looked solid in two qualifying victories, using his lefty serve to frustrate his opponents. That said, I like Tabilo’s game and the variety he can provide against a one-dimensional player like the Argentine. Delbonis does not move as well as he used to. I believe this will cost him against the Chilean.
Prediction: Tabilo in 2
Guido Pella vs Andrea Vavassori
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Guido Pella has returned to the Tour after missing all of 2022 with a knee injury. The Argentine is 0-2 in matches this season and is looking to begin his trek back up the rankings in his home country. He draws a favorable Round One match against Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori. The 27-year-old has just one career tour-level victory and should relish this opportunity in Cordoba. That said, Pella showed me enough in his losses to start the year from me to pick him here. The crowd will undoubtedly be behind him.
Prediction: Pella in 3
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Tomas Barrios Vera
Head-to-Head: Galan 1-1 Barrios Vera
26-year-old Daniel Elahi Galan had a breakout year in 2022. He won a career-best 14 tour-level matches while also hoisting two Challenger titles. The Colombian is a very adept clay-court player. He will take on a solid clay courter in his own right in Tomas Barrios Vera. The Chilean reached the final in Piracicaba two weeks ago as he looks to bounce back from an injury that ended his 2022 season prematurely. This match should feature many long, drawn-out points, but I believe Galan’s serving edge will lead him to victory.
Prediction: Galan in 2
Cristian Garin vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-Head: Garin 3-1 Martinez
The falloff for Cristian Garin in 2022 was unfortunate to watch. The former Top 20 player now sits outside the Top 100 thanks in large part to the fact that he could not claim ranking points from his quarterfinal run at Wimbledon. His game over the last 18 months has been erratic and sloppy. He will have a tough test in Cordoba as he squares off against 25-year-old Pedro Martinez. The Spaniard played his first complete season at the tour level in 2022 and has shown flashes of a player with Top 20 talent. Both of these guys love the clay, and I expect them to be ready to go in a wide-open draw. I believe this match goes the distance, and I favor the Chilean using his power to reach the second round.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
