It’s a stacked line-up again on the third day of the 2024 ABN AMRO Open. 2021 champion Andrey Rublev took down Zizou Bergs on Tuesday and has to come back the evening after to take on the 2022 champion Felix Auger-Aliassime. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Rotterdam Day 3 Predictions
Grigor Dimitrov vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s a bit surprising that these two have never met before. Grigor Dimitrov has been incredibly consistent in winning his opening-round matches of late, losing just two of them since the start of the 2023 season (and one of these was a nightmare draw against Alexander Zverev). Lorenzo Sonego is no pushover, but it’s hard not to trust the Bulgarian right now. His game is more mature these days, and when it’s not clicking, he can rely on the slice and athleticism to carry him through.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
Milos Raonic vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Raonic 1-0
Milos Raonic fended off Alexander Bublik very comfortably in Saint Petersburg four years ago, but that was a different era compared to where the veteran is right now. The good thing for him is that it likely won’t be a physical matchup, although the way Bublik has been playing on slower indoor hard courts recently, maybe he can turn it into one. If Bublik maintains that willingness to dig deep and grind, he should have a small edge here in a serve-oriented contest.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Alex de Minaur vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: de Minaur 4-0
This is already a solid run for David Goffin, which will be really helpful in his quest to return to the top 100. But Alex de Minaur is an opponent he absolutely hates playing against and there aren’t any huge silver linings in their 4-0 head-to-head. Can Goffin attack effectively enough to hit through the speedy Australian on the slow courts at ATP Rotterdam? I’d say he might come close, but it’s tough to find the confidence to believe he can win given their history.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Rublev 3-1
These two have had some good battles, including a semifinal at ATP Rotterdam two years ago. That remains the only time Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Andrey Rublev, and he’ll really have to step it up to do it again. His last few performances have remained shaky, even if this is usually one of the best parts of his season. Rublev is extremely hard to crack with very few targetable weaknesses. He showed it again in the opener against Zizou Bergs, which was tougher than the scoreline suggests.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
