Day 3 at ATP Sofia brings some enticing second-round matches. Here we will look at four of the scheduled on-court matchups and give our thoughts on the outcomes. Can the seeds be beaten in the second round, or will they ease through to the next round?
ATP Sofia Day 3 Predictions
Fabian Marozan vs Robert Bautista Agut
Head to Head: First meeting
An interesting match-up as the rankings are close between the two players. Bautista Agut fought through the first round against the ninth seed Miomir Kecmanovic. A tense three-setter that needed tiebreaks in each set for the Spaniard to move through. Marozan had an easier time against his fellow Hungarian. The Hungarian eased through in straight sets. With only a couple of places in ranking separating them, this will be close
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Billy Harris
Head to Head: First meeting
The German will be favourite for this match as the third seed. However, the Brit Billy Harris has played three matches on the courts to reach the second round. Harris, although much lower ranked and frequents the Challenger tour, has made quarterfinals and semifinals in the lead-up to this event. Struff has not been successful in the build-up, but as the third seed here in Sofia, should get by the Brit.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Pavel Kotov vs Sebastian Baez
Head to Head: First meeting
Kotov made the final of the Stockholm Open a couple of weeks ago before heading to Sofia. The Russian lost out to Gael Monfils in Sweden, and here went the distance in the first round. Sebastian Baez has not had a good run of late, only making first or second rounds. However, the Argentine is seeded here and is over 60 places higher than Kotov.
Prediction: Kotov in 3
Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Adrian Mannarino
Head to Head: Ramos-Vinolas 5-4 Mannarino
The Spaniard leads the head-to-head, and early matches were close. The later matches between these two have been straight sets. They last met last year, which Mannarino won. Neither have been particularly successful in the build-up to ATP Sofia. Mannarino is the second seed, so is obviously the favourite, even though the Spaniard leads the head-to-head. This will be the match of the day from this selection and will be a great match to watch.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
