The 94th edition of the ATP Chile Open gets underway in Santiago on Monday with four matches on the cards, including one all-Argentinian encounter. It promises to be fun on the red clay, and we at LWOT join the party to see who will progress beyond this round.
Pedro Martinez vs Francesco Passaro
Head–to–Head: Martinez 1 vs 1 Passaro
While he’s been performing creditably well on the Challenger circuit, Pedro Martinez has been inconsistent at this level so much so he’s been unable to string consecutive wins in over a year. He’s back in familiar territory however as he won the penultimate edition of this event, defeating Sebastian Baez in a three-setter.
Like his opponent, Francesco Passaro has spent more time on the Challenger circuits and he’s yet to achieve significant results at this level. His only win on tour this year was defeating Pedro Martinez at the Australian Open qualifiers.
Whilst their head-to-head is even, the Spaniard will be confident of getting one back from the Italian on his preferred surface.
Prediction: Martinez in 3
Alex Molcan vs Federico Coria
Head–to–Head: Molcan 2 vs 2 Coria
Alex Molcan finally made it to the main draw of an event this year after falling out in the qualifiers in the three tour-level tournaments he entered previously. The Slovakian has been plagued by injury and fitness problems over the last year and he’ll be hoping he can get his career back on track with a solid performance here. However, he is up against a player who is vastly experienced on clay and has played over a dozen matches on the surface this season.
Molcan may be the better player, but on their current form, Federico Coria should be the one to back.
Prediction: Coria in 2
Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Pedro Cachin
Head–to–Head: Acosta 0 vs 1 Cachin
Facundo Diaz Acosta can now directly enter the main draw of an ATP-level event thanks to his stellar performances over the last couple of months. Ranked outside the top #100 at the start of the season, the Argentinian took advantage of the South American with a deep run in Cordoba before claiming his maiden title in his home country without dropping a set. He’s now knocking on the top-50 ranking and he has to knit a string of decent showings here to achieve that.
Pedro Cachin is probably the most out-of-form player on tour currently having not won a match in ten attempts. Aggravatingly, the South American swing hasn’t been favorable to him as he lost four of the five matches, he played last season, including his debut here in Santiago.
It feels this has to be a bounce-back spot for Cachin, especially against a player he’s defeated before.
Prediction: Cachin in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Corentin Moutet
Head–to–Head: Baena 1 vs 3 Moutet
After a great start to the season, Roberto Carballes Baena’s season has suddenly turned south with five defeats in his last six matches including three on his favored clay. Santiago has been a good hunting ground having won all his opening-round matches here and reaching the quarterfinals in 2021.
Corentin Moutet makes his debut here after exiting at the qualifying stages in Cordoba and Buenos Aires. He hasn’t won a main draw at this level in six months and none on clay since the French Open.
The Frenchman is 3-1 on the head-to-head and can be a dangerous player on his day, but Baena is in familiar surroundings and should find a way to navigate a win.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
