First-round action continues on day two of the ATP Antwerp Open in Belgium and there should be plenty of entertaining action for the fans. As always, we here at LWOT have every match covered including Benjamin Bonzi vs Alexander Shevchenko. But who will advance to the second round?
ATP Antwerp Day 2 Predictions
Fabian Marozsan vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Head-to-head: first meeting
Fabian Marozsan is making a name for himself this season. Since his majestic win over Carlos Alcaraz in Rome, the Hungarian appears to have a clear penchant for the big stage. Last week, he scored his second top-10 win of his career, beating Casper Ruud to reach his first Masters quarterfinal in Shanghai. Juan Pablo Varillas has lost three matches in a row coming to Antwerp. The Peruvian is at his least-favorable surface and the uber-confident Marozsan should cruise into the second round.
Prediction: Marozsan in 2
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Richard Gasquet vs Maximilian Marterer
Head-to-head: first meeting
Since the tournament’s inception in 2016, Richard Gasquet has only missed one edition of the European Open. The Frenchman is still going strong at 37, playing some scintillating tennis at the time this season. Indoor hard courts tend to bring the best out of him. Maximilian Marterer was once a massive prospect to come from Germany, but time is ticking for a man who turned 28 a few months ago. His career has been scuppered by injuries, but he remains an immaculate ball striker. This is not the most comforting of opening matches for the former champion. Marterer was imperious in qualifying at the weekend and he possesses the firepower to prey on Gasquet’s weak defence.
Prediction: Marterer in 3
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Dominic Thiem vs Luca Nardi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Maybe Dominic Thiem shouldn’t be self-critical of his recent defeat at the Bratislava Challenger. Thiem lost to Gabriel Diallo in a third-set tiebreak this past week, and the Canadian went on to lift the title. The second half of 2023 could be the making for Thiem next season. He reached his first Tour-level final since his comeback from wrist injury and maybe he could have given Ben Shelton a proper match at the US Open had it not been for illness which forced him to retire.
Luca Nardi was also in action in Bratislava where he reached the semifinal. The 20-year-old is incredibly versatile with his baseline game. And unlike most of his compatriots, plays his best tennis away from clay courts. Thiem is a veteran at this stage of his career and his experience gives him the edge here. Nardi has played second fiddle against the ATP’s seasoned campaigners. The Austrian looks the likelier to produce his most explosive tennis in the important moments.
Prediction: Thiem in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
