It promises to be an entertaining start to the ATP Stockholm Open with four intriguing matches on the slate in the Swedish capital. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, as well as day one in Tokyo and Stockholm. But who will book their spot in the second round?
ATP Stockholm Day 1 Predictions
Dusan Lajovic vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 2-1 Lajovic
Neither man has had a particularly memorable season, which is reflected by both looking likely to end the season ranked outside the world’s top 50. Dusan Lajovic does have a winning record at tour-level, having won 21 of his 40 matches, but Sonego has won more matches with 23 victories from 48. The Italian’s confidence will also surely have been lifted by his run to the third round in Shanghai, which included a win over Frances Tiafoe in the second round. Lavojic reached the same stage, but without the same statement win and is not quite as comfortable on fast indoor hard courts.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
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Dino Prizmic vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jiri Lehecka has probably not quite kicked on as he would have liked to this season, but it has been a solid year for the Czech all the same and he still has the chance to finish the season strongly. This is a potentially tricky match, however, with Dino Prizmic likely to be amped up and full of confidence after his run through the qualifying. Ultimately, however, this is just the eighth match at tour-level of the Croatian’s career and though he clearly has a bright future, Lehecka’s best should be too good on the day.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
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Miomir Kecmanovic vs Karl Friberg
Head-to-head: first meeting
Miomir Kecmanovic is another player arriving at the ATP Stockholm Open having not performed as well as he would have liked this season. But he is still ranked inside the top 50 and will be a heavy favourite against Karl Friberg. The Swede is potentially dangerous, with nothing to lose and therefore licence to swing freely on his tour-level debut, but there is a gulf in quality here. Expect Kecmanovic to exploit it.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
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Elias Ymer vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: first meeting
Roberto Bautista Agut’s powers are on the wane, as evidenced by a record of 15-17 at tour-level so far this season. But even so he must be considered the favourite coming into this one. Elias Ymer has shown flashes of potential over the years, but comes into this match ranked 172nd in the world having never really managed to convert that potential into sustained success at the highest level. He is probably a better player than his ranking suggests, but that does not mean that he is a better player than Bautista Agut. In conditions that suit his style of play, expect the Spaniard to have the edge.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
