It is set to be a busy day of action at the ATP 250 event in Santiago. Eight matches are scheduled, with four of these predicted in this article. We at LWOT have a separate article with predictions for the other Day 2 matches, including Yannick Hanfmann vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo. But which players do you think will win?
ATP Santiago Day 2 Predictions
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Roman Andres Burruchaga
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a clash between two inconsistent players. Seyboth Wild can be devastating when he lands his groundstrokes, as he showed for periods of his match against Cameron Norrie in Rio. Burruchaga failed in qualifying in Buenos Aires and Rio, but demolished No. 1 seed Francisco Comesana to qualify for the main-draw. It is a dangerous opening match for Seyboth Wild. However, I will back his powerful hitting to click enough to claim victory in Santiago.
Prediction: Seyboth Wild in 3
Thiago Agustin Tirante vs Joao Fonseca
Head-to-head: Fonseca 1-0 Tirante
17-year-old Fonseca comes into this match on the back of a terrific run to the quarterfinal of his tome tournament in Rio. That included a comprehensive victory against the No. 7 seed at the event, Arthur Fils. Can he quickly regain his focus here? His opponent has just reached a career-high ranking in his own right of No. 100. Players as young as Fonseca often drop after such a strong tournament, but I am still going to back the Brazilian. He is capable of riding that momentum and having another strong tournament in Santiago.
Prediction: Fonseca in 3
Juan Pablo Varillas vs Francisco Comesana
Head-to-head: Varillas 1-0 Comesana
As mentioned previously, Comesana was comprehensively beaten in the final-round of qualifying. He is playing this match as a lucky loser and will need a much stronger performance to have a chance. The good news for Comesana is Varillas has struggled during the South American clay court swing. The Peruvian has lost all three of his matches and has one final chance to correct that in Santiago. The quality is likely to fluctuate throughout from most players, but overall, the higher ranked Varillas is still just about the favourite.
Prediction: Varillas in 3
Luciano Darderi vs Facundo Bagnis
Head-to-head: Darderi 2-1 Bagnis
This is a rematch of the final in Cordoba a few weeks ago. Bagnis won that contest 6-1 6-4 to complete his unexpected route to the title, with Bagnis struggling physically throughout. The veteran Bagnis is another player who lost in qualifying and is in the draw as a lucky loser. Nonetheless, he should at least pose a greater threat to Darderi in a better physical condition. I still think Darderi is the favorite, and the more likely to prevail, but expect a tighter match than a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
