Seven first-round matches are scheduled on Day 2 of the ATP Almaty Open. Situated at a high altitude, this tournament rewards the players for first-strike tennis. This article features Fabio Fognini’s match alongside two other exciting contests. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 2, including four in a separate article. But which players will advance?
ATP Almaty Day 2 Predictions
Alexander Shevchenko vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Head-to-Head: Shevchenko 0-1 Kukushkin
These two met last month in Hangzhou where Kukushkin defeated Shevchenko in straight sets. Shevchenko will look to exact revenge and make a deep run this week. This is a home tournament for both of these players which will give them extra incentive to perform well. Kukushkin has played two matches in qualifying so he will be used to the altitude conditions. However, he has never won a main draw match here while Shevchenko has. I am backing Shevchenko to get revenge on his compatriot.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 3
Zhizhen Zhang vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-Head: Zhang 1-2 Karatsev
This should be an exciting contest between two hard hitters. Aslan Karatsev had great support during his qualifying matches and he played two solid matches. Karatsev is still finding his feet since returning from injury and this could be an important week for him if he can win this first-round match. Zhang is a solid player but has lost two first-round matches in a row, since reaching the final in Hangzhou. Zhang defeated Karatsev in 2022 when this tournament was played in Astana and I expect Karatsev to win this time.
Prediction: Karatsev in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Otto Virtanen
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Fabio Fognini is on a four-match losing streak at the tour level but reached the quarterfinal of a Challenger tournament this month. It’s hard to predict his motivation level during this time of the year and on his less preferred surface. Otto Virtanen has performed brilliantly on the Challenger circuit this year and has the game to win against the Italian. But he hasn’t won a match since the US Open. This is a tough one to predict given the form of both players but I will go with Virtanen.
Prediction: Virtanen in 3
Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
