The remaining Round of 16 matches are completed on Day 4 of the ATP Mallorca Championships. Last year’s US Open semifinalist Ben Shelton and the extremely talented teenager Jakub Mensik are among the players set to feature. We at LWOT give our insights and predictions for all four contests in this article. But which players do you expect to triumph in Spain?
ATP Mallorca Day 4 Predictions
Alexander Shevchenko vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: Tabilo 1-0 Shevchenko
Shevchenko’s game should be an ideal fit for grass. He serves big and hits his shots very flat and with a lot of power. The Kazakhstani’s repeated issue is how inconsistent he is. Tabilo is a much steadier player and will hope that is enough to take him through this contest. Yet, I am going with Shevchenko to triumph. His matches are hard to predict, but I like his powerful game against Tabilo’s on grass if he finds his range.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 3
Jakub Mensik vs Fabio Fognini
Head-to-head: Mensik 1-1 Fognini
Fognini showed some of his old magic in his victory against Gijs Brouwer. Although grass has never been his favorite surface, it was a reminder of how talented the Italian veteran is. However, 18-year-old Mensik will be confident of triumphing here. Playing two good matches in a row is tough at the age of 37, especially on Fognini’s least favourite surface. Also, despite playing well against Brouwer, that level will probably not be good enough to beat Mensik.
Prediction: Mensik in 2
Paul Jubb vs Adam Walton
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jubb’s current ranking of No. 289 made his easy win against Maximilian Marterer something of a surprise. But this is the same player that pushed Nick Kyrgios to five sets at Wimbledon two years ago. Walton has been playing consistently better tennis this season and was inside the Top 100 last month. But grass is the surface Jubb is most likely to beat him on, and I think the Briton will do it.
Prediction: Jubb in 3
Ben Shelton vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: Shelton 1-1 Hijikata
Shelton has lost both his matches on grass so far this season. By contrast, Hijikata reached the quarterfinals at the Queen’s Club Championships last week as a qualifier. Although form is against him, Shelton is still backed to get his first victory on grass in 2024. Hijikata does not have a very powerful serve, which puts him under a lot of pressure in this contest, since he knows one break could easily be enough for Shelton in a set. That dynamic might be what decides the match.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
