Day two of the 2023 ATP Rotterdam Open promises to be an enthralling day of tennis with the top seeds set to enter the fray in the Netherlands. As ever, we here at LWOT are previewing and predicting all seven scheduled matches, including Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Daniil Medvedev. But who will advance?
ATP Rotterdam Day 2 Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs Mikael Ymer
Head to head: first meeting
This pair enter the match in very contrasting form. Mikael Ymer, so far, has had a middling year as the young Swede still searches for consistency, and the right balance between relying on his athleticism and stepping in to dictate. Tallon Griekspoor on the other hand has made a fantastic start to 2023: the Dutchman has already won a tournament this year (ATP Pune) and he looked sharp in reaching the third round of the Australian Open, where he gave a reasonable account of himself against eventual finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. Expect the Dutchman to dominate this match and start strong.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
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Gijs Brouwer vs Marc-Andrea Huesler
Head to head: first meeting
Gijs Brouwer has been handed a wild card and a great opportunity with that, but the 26-year-old Dutchman hasn’t played much at this level and it’s unlikely he’s going to make an impact in his first-round match at the ATP Rotterdam Open. Brouwer will have the crowd right behind him, Marc-Andrea Huesler has been very consistent in the past year or so, particularly indoors. It took the Swiss a while to breakthrough at tour-level, but he looks capable at this level and should prove too strong for Brouwever, though the Dutchman may manage a set.
Prediction: Huesler in 3
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Kwon Soon-woo vs Alexander Zverev
Head to head: first meeting
This is a tough opening round assignment for Alexander Zverev. The German is on the comeback trail after a serious ankle injury sustained at Roland Garros last season and it’ll be very interesting to see how Zverev comes to terms with his slow start to 2023. Kwon Soon-woo, in contrast, has already won a tour-level title this season (ATP Adelaide) and the South Korean will give little away from the baseline.
As a result, if Zverev is going to win this match, he will have to do it the hard way. That being said, the conditions will play a role here and with the fast indoor courts favouring big hitters, Zverev will like his chances. Expect Kwon to make a quick start, but as the German settles down the match should swing in his favour.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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Emil Ruusuvuori vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head to head: Tsitsipas 1-0 Ruusuvuori
Tsitsipas enters this year’s tournament as runner-up from last year and fresh from reaching the final at the recently concluded Australian Open. The Greek is in good form and despite the straight set loss to Novak Djokovic, finally looks to be back on the path towards Grand Slam glory. He opens his campaign at the ATP Rotterdam Open against Emil Ruusuvuori. The Finn is a great talent, but he is currently guilty of being too one dimensional from the baseline. He is good enough to get away with that against most players, but Tsitsipas is not most players. Expect a relatively routine win for the Greek.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
