Day 2 of the ATP Barcelona Open brings a stacked schedule of 12 matches including five second-round matches. But everyone’s attention will be on the return of Rafael Nadal. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 2. But who will advance?
ATP Barcelona Day 2 Predictions
Tomas Machac vs Juncheng Shang
Head-to-Head: First meeting
After achieving great success on the Challenger tour, Tomas Machac has transitioned quite impressively to the ATP tour. Machac has already broken into the top 50 and is proving to be a difficult opponent to defeat. The Czech had some solid runs on hard courts this year with the highlight being the quarter-finals of the Miami Open. This is going to be his first clay court match this year. Shang Juncheng showed his immense talent in his first tournament of the year in Hong Kong, where he reached the semi-finals. The 19-year-old Chinese is coming into this match via qualifying where he did not drop a set. This match is closer than it looks on paper but Machac has the slight edge.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Hugo Grenier
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Roberto Carballes Baena loves to play on clay; he has already played 10 matches on clay this year and both of his ATP titles have come on this surface. The Spaniard is coming off a final run in his last event which would give him confidence on his home soil. Hugo Grenier has already lost a match in qualifying and comes into this match as a lucky loser. Grenier won just the two main draw matches this year and has limited experience on clay. Carballes Baena should win this one easily.
Predictions: Carballes Baena in 2
Jaume Munar vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-Head: Munar 0-1 Nishioka
Jaume Munar is another player who plays his best tennis on clay. Munar has a 7-10 win-loss record this year but hopes to turn this around on his home soil. The Spaniard is a fiery character and the crowd support can bring the best out of him. Yoshihito Nishioka took a set off Jannik Sinner in this event last year, but he is a far more dangerous player on a hard court. Nishioka won the only match when they met back in 2022 on the hard courts of Antwerp. Keeping the surface and location in mind, Munar has an advantage.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Rafael Nadal vs Flavio Cobolli
Rafael Nadal has played only three matches this year as injuries have kept him out of the tour. Nadal will play his first match on clay since winning his 14th Roland Garros title in May 2022. The former world No.1 has won the Barcelona Open for a record 12 times and would hope to mark his return with a win. Flavio Cobolli is making his debut in the Barcelona Open and what better way to play his first match? The Italian will enjoy every bit of this encounter and hope Nadal is sluggish. On the other hand, Nadal will be quite content with his first-round matchup. If Rafael Nadal is playing it means he is confident and Cobolli doesn’t possess enough weapons to trouble him on clay.
Predictions: Nadal in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
