The post-Wimbledon clay court swing is upon us and it promises to have a lot of story lines before the action shifts to Olympics in end July. The ATP 250 event in Bastad, Sweden sees a jam-packed draw with no clear favorite for the title. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all scheduled clashes for you–including Rafael Nadal’s battle with Leo Borg and Federico Coria vs Thiago Monteiro.
ATP Bastad Day 2 Predictions
Alexandre Muller vs Denis Yevseyev
Head to head – First Meeting
Alexandre Muller is likely to have the upper hand against Denis Yevseyev due to his reliable clay-court game and consistent baseline play. While Yevseyev’s aggressive approach could pose a threat, Muller’s experience on slower surfaces might give him the edge. Expect a tight contest, but Muller’s steadiness and adaptability on clay should see him through.
Prediction: Muller in 3
Nuno Borges vs Andrea Pellegrino
Head to head – First Meeting
Nuno Borges is stronger than Andrea Pellegrino thanks to his strong all-around game and effective clay-court skills. Pellegrino, while capable has failed to impress in his last two Challenger Tour outings and will need to counter Borges’ consistency to stay competitive. Borges’ ability to adapt and maintain pressure on the baseline should give him the edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Borges in 2
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Roman Safiullin
Head to head – First Meeting
Roberto Carballes Baena is likely to edge out Roman Safiullin. Baena’s superior clay-court skills and defensive prowess will test Safiullin’s aggressive play. The Spaniard is also coming off of a challenger event win while Safiullin should struggle switching surfaces. If Baena can absorb Safiullin’s power and wear him down with his consistency, he should secure the win in a challenging contest.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports