It’s time for the second round to kick off at the 2024 Stuttgart Open, with multiple Top 30 players looking to adjust to the grass courts in their first matches. The first four matches of the second round will take place on Wednesday, while the remaining second-round matches will occur on Thursday. Who will prevail?
ATP Stuttgart Day 3 Predictions
Lorenzo Musetti vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: Koepfer 1-0
Both players impressively won their first-round matches. Musetti needed eight match points before taking out Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in two close tiebreaks, while Koepfer saved two match points to defeat Zhinzen Zhang. In addition, both players come into this tournament in solid form, hanging with Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in their last losses at the French Open. Koepfer should gain a lot of confidence from his first-round win, but Musetti may just have the edge.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Hamad Medjedovic vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bublik loves the grass courts, and this week should be a great opportunity for him to claim an ATP title. He won the 2023 Halle Open and could have made the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year after losing a fourth-round five-setter. Medjedovic should be a challenging matchup for the World No. 17, with the Serb coming off hitting 25 aces in a 6-7 (3) 6-1 6-4 win over Fabian Marozsan. His game suits well for the grass courts, as 2024 marks his first grass court season at the ATP tour level. Bublik may struggle early on to adjust to the grass courts, but he should have enough experience on grass to win this match.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Marcos Giron vs Jack Draper
Head-to-head: Draper 1-0
Giron spoiled an all-British showdown on Wednesday after he defeated Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 in the first round. Ranked ten spots away from his career high ranking, Giron’s win over Murray was only the second grass-court win of his career. Meanwhile, Draper won his opening match in two tiebreak sets, as he’ll look ahead to improve his ranking over the coming weeks. Draper notably could not play during the 2023 grass court season due to injury. Giron has a solid baseline game, but he’ll have to navigate Draper’s tricky serve and grass-court skills.
Prediction: Draper in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s been a tough 2024 season for Tiafoe, and he’ll have to open his grass court campaign against a home favorite while defending his Stuttgart title from last year. Hanfmann did well to take out Henri Squire 6-3 6-3 and didn’t face a break point in the match. He’s also played well on the grass, notably stunning Stefanos Tsitsipas last year in Mallorca. Tiafoe has struggled on slower surfaces, but his powerful serve and athleticism should suit him well on these factors. This is a 50-50 matchup, as I think Tiafoe will have the energy and motivation to win in a close three-setter.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
