Stefanos Tsitsipas ended a winless spell and won in the Monte Carlo last week and now faces Roberto Carballes Baena on Day 4 of the ATP Barcelona Open, where he will be much fancied against the Spaniard despite the latter’s strong clay court showings lately. Who do you think will prevail in these Round of 16 matches?
ATP Barcelona Day 4 Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: 0-2
Lajovic is coming in off the back off a good win against the Frenchman Humbert in the last round–who has been having a successful season so far–so he is showing form in Barcelona. However, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina got a walkover against the unfortunate Tomas Machac so he might just come in cold to this one. With more clay matches under his belt this season and a 2-0 head to head I’ll go for Lajovic in this one.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Jordan Thompson vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: 3-2
Both men coming in with good wins in the Round of 32. Ruud beating the dangerous Muller in straight sets with Thompson winning through in three sets against Munar. Ruud won there only meeting on clay way back in 2018 at the French Open and has gone from strength to strength on the clay ever since then. Thompson obviously causes Ruud some serious problems with his playing style but Casper Ruud’s greater clay court experience should see him through in this one.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: 0-2
This is arguably a harder match to call as both men were involved in strange matches in the Round of 32. Bautista Agut came through in three sets against Vavassori and dominated the last two sets after going one down. Cam Norrie came through against the qualifier Harold Mayot after the Frenchman retired with an injury. Both men have had positive results on the clay this year but with Norrie’s higher ranking and leading their head to head, I think he will shade this one.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: 0-2
Easiest match of the round to call with Tsitsipas’ Masters 1000 win at the Monte Carlo Masters last week and a straight sets win over Ruud in the final? The Greek came through against Ofner in the last round in straight sets and is playing with confidence on the back of last week’s win. Carballes Baena though managed an impressive win over Lorenzo Musetti–a player with great clay court pedigree–in the last round. It still will not see him through against Tsitsipas, though.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
