Seven matches are scheduled on the second day of the ATP 250 in Eastbourne. Former finalist Lorenzo Sonego will face the flashy Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in one of the standout matches on Tuesday. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who will progress into the second round?
ATP Eastbourne Day 2 Predictions
James McCabe vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Head-to-head: first meeting
McCabe enjoyed a sensational weekend in qualifying. He upset former world #37 Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets to kick off his campaign before downing home hope Charles Broom. The 20-year-old Australian is punching above his weight and has a winnable opening match in the main draw. Seyboth Wild is a clay-court specialist and hardly fancies hitting knee-length balls. The Brazilian will arrive in Eastbourne undercooked. He hasn’t played since a first-round exit at Roland Garros. Maybe the fairytale run by the qualifier will continue.
Prediction: McCabe in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 2-0 Zhang
Kecmanovic is looking to snap his three-match losing streak here. He’s beaten Zhang twice in the head-to-head, including their most recent match in Madrid this season. The Chinese man continues to set the bar for aspiring young players back home. He’s up to a career-high ranking of No. 33 thanks to his stellar run to the Halle semifinal this past week. Some of the ball striking that Zhang produced during the week in Germany was so pure. If he can replicate that, the Serbian might not stand a chance.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Arthur Rinderknech vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: Rinderknech 1-0 Cobolli
Cobolli is one of the newest faces to break into the Top 50 after a solid clay-court campaign. However, the 22-year-old Italian has never won a match on grass and has a lifetime record of 0-4. Rinderknech, meanwhile, is more accustomed to the playing surface, having made the Wimbledon main draw for the last three years. The Frenchman was a quarterfinalist in Mallorca last season and the player you would hang your hat on to beat the inexperienced Cobolli.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 2
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0 Davidovich Fokina
Sonego won his first career Tour-level title on grass in Antalya. He is a former finalist in Eastbourne. So, he’s quite familiar with the surface. In fact, his booming serve and powerful forehand suit the manicured lawns. His record on grass might not be the most impressive in comparison to clay and hard courts, but much of that has to do with the draws he’s been getting. For instance, last year, two of his four defeats were inflicted by current and former Top 10 players (Sinner and Berrettini). Last week, he was beaten by world #4 Zverev in two tight sets in Halle. Davidovich Fokina’s return of one win in his last five matches is hardly ideal for his confidence coming into this match, and the Italian is probably the likelier to win this bout.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
