It is set to be another great day of tennis at the ATP 250 event in Santiago, with eight matches scheduled. Four of these contests are predicted in this article. We at LWOT also predict the other matches in Santiago in a separate article, including Luciano Darderi vs Facundo Bagnis.
ATP Santiago Day 2 Predictions
Jaume Munar vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Head-to-head: Munar 1-1 Zapata Miralles
This is a time of the season that clay court specialist Zapata Miralles would have hoped to thrive. Unfortunately, that has not happened. He has only managed a single victory in his four matches so far during the South American clay court swing. Munar played an entertaining second-round match last week in Rio against Thiago Seyboth Wild, which he ultimately lost in three sets. Both players will view this as a good opportunity, but I am going to back Zapata Miralles. I feel he can nullify Munar’s style and that his slump on clay is unlikely to continue for any longer.
Prediction: Zapata Miralles in 3
Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Hugo Dellien
Head-to-head: Ramos-Vinolas 3-0 Dellien
It has been a mixed South American clay court swing so far for the veteran Ramos-Vinolas. He has had a couple of good wins but has not gone deep at any of the events. Dellien’s sole main-draw victory during this swing was in Cordoba. This will be a real grind between two players who are adept at extending the rallies. Ramos-Vinolas may be past his prime but the dominant head-to-head is likely to count for something here. Expect Ramos-Vinolas to dig in and be dominant enough with his forehand to win in Santiago.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 3
Cristian Garin vs Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players got a win in Rio last week. Garin managed an impressive triumph against Roberto Carballes Baena, while Barrios Vera overcame Gustavo Heide. At his best, Garin is the better of these two players. He possesses terrific firepower off his forehand and can be very dangerous. However, he can be inconsistent. If Garin is not at his best, his Chilean compatriot Barrios Vera has the game to take advantage. Overall, I will back Garin, but a Barrios Vera win would not be a surprise.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Hanfmann 1-1 Cerundolo
Hanfmann is another player plagued by inconsistency. Last week in Rio demonstrates this perfectly. After beating the third seed Nicolas Jarry in an epic contest, he then won just three games in a drubbing by Mariano Navone in the next round. Cerundolo is looking to finally get some success on the South American clay. He lost in the first-round in Cordoba and failed to qualify in Buenos Aires and Rio. The Argentinian will have some momentum after coming through qualifying but I will go with Hanfmann to have one of his better days and defeat Cerundolo.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
