The grass-court season continues at the ATP Mallorca Championships in Spain. Every player in the draw will no doubt be eager to build some momentum ahead of the start of Wimbledon in just over a week’s time. But who will win through to the second round on day one?
ATP Mallorca Open Day 1 Predictions
Corentin Moutet vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: O’Connell 1-0 Moutet
There has not been much for Corentin Moutet to celebrate so far on the grass this season after back-to-back first-round defeats in Stuttgart and Halle. Will swapping Germany for Spain see him return to winning ways? This is probably a kinder first-round draw, but it’s not an easy one. Christopher O’Connell has established himself as a solid tour-level pro and his well-rounded game allows him to compete on every surface. His run to the quarterfinals in Stuttgart was encouraging and though Moutet is a good enough player to win this match at his best, O’Connell looks the likelier victor.
Prediction: O’Connell in 3
Guido Pella vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Giron 1-0 Pella
Guido Pella, surprisingly enough, has a run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals under his belt. Unfortunately, the Argentine is now a shadow of the player who made the last eight at the All England Club, with a serious foot condition derailing his career. He deserves credit for getting back on court, but his recent outings have felt more like a last hurrah than a serious comeback. Marcos Giron continues to perform solidly, last week coming through the qualifying in Halle, and the American looks set for a comfortable day at the office here.
Prediction: Giron in 2
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Ilya Ivashka vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: Ivashka 1-0 Carballaes Baena
Roberto Carballes Baena will no doubt have the crowd right behind him at the ATP Mallorca Championships, but he does not have much of a grass-court record behind him. Ilya Ivashka, in contrast, reached the fourth round at Wimbledon two years ago. It is no great surprise that the Belarusian, with his big serve and powerful, flat groundstrokes, is more at home on the grass than the counterpunching Spaniard. What would be a real surprise would be Carballes Baena winning this match.
Prediction: Ivashka in 2
Main photo credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
