The 71st edition of the ATP Barcelona Open gets underway and promises plenty of excitement on the dirt. With defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz not in the mix, expect plenty of motivation to get a new champion. We examine three matches on the cards on Day 1 to predict who will advance to the next round.
ATP Barcelona Day 1 Predictions
Pedro Cachin vs Harold Mayot
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Pedro Cachin currently holds the unenviable record as the player with the longest winless streak on tour and there doesn’t seem to be any respite in sight despite playing on his preferred clay surface.
Cachin will find it difficult against a young Harold Mayot who was brilliant in qualifying and will be eager to make the most of his debut here
Prediction: Mayot in 3
Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Alexandre Muller
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Both players have been quite inconsistent all season and ordinarily, this could swing either way. However, Ramos-Vinolas has played twice as many matches on clay than his opponent. Muller faces an uphill challenge to upstage the experienced and capable Spaniard who will have the home crowd behind him.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 2
Matteo Arnaldi vs Arthur Cazaux
Head–to–Head: Cazaux 1 vs 0 Arnaldi
In this battle of two talented youngsters, Matteo Arnaldi rightly starts as the favorite. His record on clay reads 23-8 over the last year and despite losing his first match on clay this season at Monte Carlo to Sumit Nagal, he hasn’t gone three consecutive matches without a win in almost a year.
The Frenchman can pose a serious challenge if he brings his A-game, but this is Arnaldi’s match to lose.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
