Time to wrap up the first round of the 2023 ATP Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech. Juan Pablo Varillas against Benjamin Bonzi should be the most exciting match of the day, but both players have struggled with their fitness recently. Will this encounter deliver? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
ATP Marrakech Day 2 Predictions
Adam Moundir vs Elias Ymer
Head-to-head: First meeting
Adam Moundir has only received one wild card in Marrakech before, taking three games off Carlos Berlocq in the qualifying here four years ago. Currently ranked at World No. 720, the 27-year-old hasn’t been past the second round of an ITF event this year yet. Elias Ymer has sometimes struggled with lower-ranked opposition in the past and you just know that the crowd will be vivaciously trying to help out their favorite, but it seems like the edge in quality is just too big.
Prediction: Ymer in 2
Riccardo Bonadio vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: First meeting
The astonishing one-handed backhand of Riccardo Bonadio recently made its main tour debut in Santiago; now it’s time for another appearance at the highest echelon of the game. He’s qualified with some very nice wins, which came as a bit of a surprise after a blowout loss in Girona round one last week. The Italian will already be very familiar with the conditions and should have a decent chance to cause a slight upset in this battle of aesthetically pleasing one-handers with Christopher O’Connell.
Prediction: Bonadio in 3
Pavel Kotov vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: Kotov 1-0
The quality probably won’t be great in this one with Pavel Kotov retiring in Sanremo last week, while Pedro Martinez reached the semifinals in Girona but was painfully far from his best level. It’s a start though and getting four matches under his belt right now is already a bit of a huge win for the Spaniard. Getting that practice and rhythm could be essential in allowing him to beat Kotov here.
Prediction: Martinez in 3
Juan Pablo Varillas vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Juan Pablo Varillas made the final in Sanremo last week but was struggling with some small physical issue and only really played his best in one match. Meanwhile, Benjamin Bonzi had to skip Indian Wells due to an adductor injury. With absolutely no info as to how the Frenchman will look in his first match back, there are plenty of question marks ahead of this one. Varillas has already had a few stellar wins this year and this could be the season when he fully unleashes his clay potential on the ATP Tour.
Prediction: Varillas in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
