As usual, it’s a stacked field at ATP Rotterdam, and World No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz is just the fourth seed at this event. The Pole made the semifinals in Marseille last week, losing to eventual champion Ugo Humbert. Can he keep up his solid form and defeat Jiri Lehecka in the opening round here? Who do you think will prevail?
ATP Rotterdam Day 2 Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: First meeting
This one seems too close to call. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina remains a mixed bag with lots of top-10-level performances, but also several matches where he’s just lacking focus. Jan-Lennard Struff will likely have a bit of a dip ranking-wise this year, which doesn’t take away from how unplayable his serve can get. The Spaniard lost in the opening round in his last two Rotterdam appearances, but it was against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev (and he took a set both times). This is his chance to convert a more workable draw.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Sebastian Korda vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-Head: 1-1
Sebastian Korda’s 2024 campaign has mostly been disappointing so far, and while he won a round in Marseille last week and got a point for the United States in Davis Cup, the matches with Hugo Grenier and Oleksii Krutykh were far from clean. But can the 23-year-old bounce back here? Alex de Minaur is, of course, a very consistent player, but an all-court attacking game like Korda’s with sharp angle work can get him out of his comfort zone. The American’s execution will need to be of very high quality though.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Hubert Hurkacz failed to defend his Marseille crown last week, but it wasn’t a bad effort from the Pole. His Rotterdam record is only mediocre, but some of that is just how stacked these draws tend to be. This one isn’t different, with Jiri Lehecka looking like a potential threat right away. The 22-year-old had one of his breakthrough runs here a couple of years ago, and while he’s not the favorite to beat Hurkacz, he’s always a dangerous floater in the bigger events.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Albert Cesare – USA TODAY Sports
