Day 2 at ATP Barcelona continues with more matches stacking up as players seek to succeed the absent defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz. This loaded slate is led by World No. 7 Andrey Rublev taking on Brandon Nakashima. Who will make it to the next round?
ATP Barcelona Day 2 Predictions
Zhizhen Zhang vs Luca Van Assche
Head–to–Head: Van Assche 1 vs 0 Zheng
Zhang’s stellar performances on clay last season effectively catapulted him into being a top-50 player and left him with considerable points to defend on tour this season. Despite being behind in their head-to-head, Zhang will be motivated enough to see this through against a player who hasn’t won a match on clay in almost a year.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Harold Mayot
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
A hapless Pedro Cachin ensured Harold Mayot made the most of his debut in Barcelona. The young Frenchman condemned the Argentine to his 15th consecutive defeat. However, he hasn’t defeated a top-40 player, and Cameron Norrie won’t be doing him any favors.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
Alexei Popyrin vs Daniel Altmaier
Head–to–Head: Popyrin 1 vs 0 Altmaier
Only Alex De Minaur defeated Alexei Popyrin in almost a clay match, and in that period, he secured his second ATP title in Umag, Croatia. The big-serving Aussie enjoyed a great week in Monte Carlo, where he defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets. He’ll be looking to continue his solid build in the French Open, where he has suffered four first-round losses. While Daniel Altmaier can throw up a stern challenge in his current form, Popyrin has the upper hand going into this contest.
Prediction: Popyrin in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Brandon Nakashima
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
This has to be a bounce-back spot for Andrey Rublev. He has only won a single match since his controversial disqualification in Dubai against Alexander Bublik, but he can take solace in the fact that he hasn’t lost three consecutive matches on clay in three years. Brandon Nakashima is a tricky opponent. He clinically dispatched Daniel Evans in straight sets in his first-round encounter, but a fired-up Rublev will be too much to handle.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
