While ATP 250 finals across the globe will take place on Sunday, another ATP 250 tournament begins in Croatia — this time at the Croatia Open in Umag. In addition to three main draw matches, multiple final rounds of qualifying will take place. LWOT previews some of the matches ahead.
ATP Umag Day 1 Predictions
Guido Andreozzi vs Tseng Chun-hsin
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is one of four qualifying matches on Sunday and is the only match on Goran Ivanisevic Stadium, the stadium court. At 32 years old, Andreozzi has played more doubles than singles lately but possesses a solid 328-238 record on clay courts. Tseng is newer to tennis at 22 years old and has played many tournaments on clay courts at ATP Challenger Tour events. Both players also won their first qualifying match in straight sets. As Andreozzi hasn’t played a singles tournament in over a month prior to Saturday, Tseng may be the favorite and could come out more confident in key moments during the match.
Prediction: Tseng in 3
Alexander Shevchenko vs Fabian Marozsan
Head-to-head: Shevchenko 2-0
Marozsan has a solid baseline-centered game that works well on the clay courts, while Shevchenko tends to dictate points with his power on all surfaces. Neither player won more than one match in last year’s Croatia Open, and this will be a good opportunity for either player to pick up a win. Marozsan will have to use his drop shot to his advantage, while Shevchenko cannot afford to lose many points off his big serve. Shevchenko won both the pair’s matches over the last five months, and expect him to be the slight favorite because of that.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 3
Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs Luka Mikrut
Head-to-head: First meeting
This match will mark a big milestone for Mikrut as his first ATP tour-level match. The 20-year-old recently made his first ATP Challenger Tour final last month, while Carabelli has played in many ATP tour-level qualifying matches, trying to return to his best form from 2022. A win for Carabelli will mark his fourth ATP tour-level win, and he’ll have to play confident tennis and not let the inexperienced Croat dictate points, especially as Mikrut has nothing to lose. Expect Mikrut to come out firing, but Carabelli will have enough experience to etch out a tight two-set win.
Prediction: Carabelli in 2
Alexandre Muller vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: Arnaldi 1-0
Arnaldi is emerging as a potential mainstay in the ATP Top 50, while Muller has also had a solid 2024 campaign. Recently, Muller pushed Daniil Medvedev to four sets at Wimbledon, while Arnaldi made a big run to the second week at this year’s French Open; that run included a straight-sets win over Muller. Arnaldi has been on a losing run, however, and disappointingly lost last week in the German Open as a seed. This match should come down to whoever takes advantage of more break points, and look for Arnaldi to step up as the slightly more solid player on slow clay courts.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
