Wimbledon is finished for another year after an incredibly dramatic men’s singles final. But the action continues as the ATP 250 event in Bastad begins on the clay. There are two first round matches on the first day, alongside a selection of qualifying matches for the round of 32 and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictons for every first-round match. But who will advance?
ATP Bastad Day 1 Predictions
Pavel Kotov vs Max Dahlin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Pavel Kotov is the top seed in the qualifying draw, and is currently very close to his career high ranking of #96. It has been a strange year for the 24 year-old, who actually has a better win-loss record at ATP events this season than at Challenger tournaments. It is impossible not to back him here. 17 year-old Dahlin is ranked outside the top 1000, and was playing doubles at the Wimbledon juniors before this tournament. It will be a great experience for the Swede playing in front of his home fans, but Kotov should progress comfortably.
Prediction: Kotov in 2
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Filip Misolic vs Damir Dzumhur
Head-to-head: first meeting
The experienced Bosnian Damir Dzumhur has the more accomplished career, with three ATP titles to his name. But he has been struggling this year. Aside from a memorable win in a third-set tiebreak against Richard Gasquet on home soil at the Srpska Open, he has had little to celebrate this season. His 21 year-old opponent is on a different trajectory, winning one challenger event and reaching the final of another in May, and is the fourth seed in qualifying. Although Dzumhur won his previous qualifying match in a dramatic third-set tiebreak, Filip Misolic’s energetic brand of tennis will be too much for the 31 year-old who is stuck in a bit of a rut right now that he cannot seem to get out of. Misolic is a name to watch out for as he is an exciting talent who continues to improve his game.
Predicton: Misolic in 2
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Dragos Madaras vs Luca Van Assche
Head-to-head: first meeting
Dragos Madaras is a wildcard and #203 in the world, but the sudden rise this year of the 25 year-old has been a shock. He has won an extraordinary nine events on the Futures Tour since January, and all of those titles were on clay. However, playing the #75 will be a steep rise in class from the level below the Challenger Tour.
The 19-year old Frenchman may have only won four ATP matches to date, but has earned his place inside the top 100 with his consistent efforts on the Challenger tour, winning two of those titles this year. Luca Van Assche likes to take the ball early and I think Madaras will be left rushed as he won’t be used to playing at such a high tempo. I will back the Frenchman in straight sets, but with the crowd behind him, the Swede will make both sets relatively competitive.
Prediction: Van Assche in 2
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Thiago Monteiro vs Daniel Elahi Galan
Head-to-head: Galan 1-0 Monteiro
Daniel Elahi Galan will hope to ride an unexpected wave of momentum. Before Wimbledon the Colombian was having an abysmal season, losing 12 of his 14 matches on the ATP tour. But then suddenly he made it all the way to the Wimbledon fourth round, being stopped by Jannik Sinner. Monteiro is having a difficult season himself, losing 14 of his 21 matches on the ATP tour, and also not managing anything of note on the Challenger Tour. But I am backing the Brazilian in this one.
Galan is so mercurial it is very possible that Wimbledon run was a flash in the pan, and he may well struggle again immediately after. Monteiro is also a clay-court specialist, and despite his own struggles if he can find his range he has a good chance of progressing here. He will have to keep his concentration to do so as Galan’s level can fluctuate so wildly during a match.
Prediction: Monteiro in 3
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
