The ATP Barcelona Open 2023 rolls into Day 3 with second round action to continue, as top seeds and young hopefuls seeking to build steam. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all matches scheduled for you. In addition to this article, we have the rest of the day’s matches in two other articles. One features Karen Khachanov vs Nicolas Jarry and the second features Jannik Sinner vs Diego Schwartzman. Who do you think will win?
ATP Barcelona Day 3 Predictions
David Goffin vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head to head – Goffin 1-1 Nishioka
Yoshihito Nishioka is playing his first clay court match of the year and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares this year on a surface he should play well on. He takes on veteran David Goffin who ran away with the third set in his first round match but will face a stiff challenge from the defense of the Japanese. Expect Nishioka to come out on top after a tight battle.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Francisco Cerundolo vs Francesco Passaro
Head to head – First Meeting
Francisco Cerundolo is into his favourite part of the year and it is this part of the year last time around where the Argentine broke through. He is seeded 15th here but he does face a stiff test in his opener. Francesco Passaro dominated Fernando Verdasco in his first round and the Italian looks to be solid but Cerundolo is young and brimming with confidence to not the feel the brunt here.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 2
Jozef Kovalik vs Denis Shapovalov
Head to head – First Meeting
Jozef Kovalik has done well to qualify but he faces the ever so talented Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian begins his tune up to Roland Garros and he should be very eager to do well this time around since he possesses everything needed to be a good player on this surface. The Slovak is no easy out but eventually he should run out of steam against the barrage of the Canadian.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
Pedro Cachin vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head to head – First Meeting
Pedro Cachin has had a decent run last week at a challenger event in Madrid but it’s unlikely he would’ve faced anyone of the caliber of Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek having failed to defend his Monte Carlo crown last week would be hopeful of a better showing in Barcelona. Expect Tsitsipas to start strong here.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
