It promises to be an entertaining first day at the ATP Madrid Open with a number of intriguing matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all of the 16 matches on the slate, including Thansasi Kokkinakis vs Jack Draper, Arthur Rinderknech vs Aleksandar Shevchenko and Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Denis Shapovalov. But who will advance?
ATP Madrid Day 1 Predictions
Daniel Altmaier vs Martin Landaluce
Head-to-head: first meeting
Martin Landaluce is getting a few opportunities like this recently and after winning a match in Miami, it feels like now he could actually use going down a level again and getting some rhythm back. But maybe in the conditions in Madrid he can prove a bigger threat than in Barcelona last week. Daniel Altmaier is a much more seasoned pro and while he wasn’t a junior star like Landaluce, it will take a really steady level for two sets to beat him. Doubtful if the Spaniard can supply it at the moment.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
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Lukas Klein vs Pablo Llamas Ruiz
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lukas Klein has qualified for four of the biggest tennis events of the year so far (Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid) and always seems to be among the deadliest players to get into the draw this way. Fast clay conditions like the ones in Madrid is something he’s very familiar with and they fit his hyper-aggressive style nicely. We can’t just write off a talent like Pablo Llamas Ruiz and he’ll make sure to keep Klein honest with his lovely touch, but the weaponry edge is pretty huge for the Slovak here.
Prediction: Klein in 3
Jaume Munar vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jaume Munar losing to Jordan Thompson in Barcelona last week was a bit of a shocker on clay, but then again maybe it’s not that surprising with the Spaniard’s playstyle. Putting away players isn’t exactly part of his abilities and it just turned into a massive grindfest. On paper this is a slightly more natural matchup for him and he’ll be more in his comfort zone here. Nuno Borges is no joke though and while he’s often lacking the consistency, he’ll try his best to hit through Munar here.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Luciano Darderi vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: first meeting
Luciano Darderi had such a rapid introduction to the main tour with the title in Cordoba that it feels like we still don’t know much in terms of how he’ll be holding up long-term. The Italian made the semifinals in Houston since, but last week was unable to touch his big rival Mariano Navone in Bucharest. At this stage of his career, Gael Monfils started enjoying the shorter rallies off clay. Madrid might be the best of both worlds though and these conditions should be to the Frenchman’s liking now.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
