Day 3 at ATP Basel provides many intriguing storylines as some of the best players in the world take the court in the third-largest city in Switzerland. Taylor Fritz, looking to secure a spot in the 2023 ATP Finals, opens his tournament against Max Purcell. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Basel. But who will advance?
ATP Basel Day 3 Predictions
Andy Murray vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-Head: Murray 1-0 Etcheverry
It has been an up-and-down season for 36-year-old Andy Murray. Despite cracking back into the top 40 for the first time since 2017, Murray has reached just one ATP quarterfinal this year. He can reach No. 2 when he squares off against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Basel. The young Argentine snapped a three-match losing streak with a 6-3 1-6 6-3 win over Sebastian Korda in Round 1. Etcheverry’s serve has been a massive weapon for him this year, but I expect Murray to be able to somewhat neutralize that strength. Give me the Brit in three.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-Head: Struff 2-0 Hurkacz
Both Jan-Lennard Struff and Hubert Hurkacz picked up a close, two-set victory in Round 1. They will square off for the second time this year after the German got the better of Hurkacz 3-6 6-3 6-3 earlier this year in Stuttgart. Since that battle in mid-June, Struff holds a 3-6 record. Hurkacz, on the other, won the Shanghai Masters earlier this month and comes into this match with supreme confidence. Expect a few tiebreaks, but I give the Pole the edge.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Max Purcell
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 3 seed Taylor Fritz gets his Basel campaign underway against Max Purcell. The American is fighting for a spot in the 2023 ATP Finals and needs a strong result this week in Switzerland. When in form, Purcell provides a tricky matchup for anyone on Tour. We saw him go on an 11-2 run in August, including a trip to the Cincinnati Masters quarterfinals. That said, the 25-year-old Aussie is just 1-7 in his last eight matches. Fritz should cruise.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Yannick Peterhans – USA TODAY Sports
