The ATP 250 event in Antwerp this week is not only important for the race to Turin (De Minaur and Tsitsipas), but it also provides many players with a rare opportunity to win a title at this level given the relatively weak field on paper. The top seeds won’t be in action yet on Tuesday, but there should still be plenty of exciting action, with many tight and unpredictable matches. We split the Day 2 matches between this and a separate article. Who do you think will win?
ATP Antwerp Day 2 Predictions
Alexey Vatutin vs Hugo Gaston
Head-to-head: Vatutin 1-0 Gaston
Gaston is on a terrible 7-match losing streak dating back to the Kitzbuhel final. He has been struggling massively and will be desperate to get some wins before the season wraps up. On paper, he got a nice draw to do that here, but Vatutin played quite well in qualifying and might well be able to take advantage of Gaston’s lack of confidence to pull through here.
Prediction: Vatutin in 3
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Head-to-head: Seyboth Wild 1-0 Mpetshi Perricard
Mpetshi Perricard has had a nice breakthrough year but since Wimbledon he has actually lost seven of his nine matches. Things have been difficult for him, but an indoor hard court seems like the perfect conditions to get some wins again with his massive serve and power. Seyboth Wild is talented but more of a clay court player, in these conditions Perricard should have the slight edge despite his recent struggles.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 3
Roberto Bautista-Agut vs Luca van Assche
Head-to-head: first meeting
Despite a decent run at Wimbledon, it’s very clear that Bautista Agut’s best days are well behind him at this point. But he still keeps grinding, hoping to catch fire one week and perhaps win one final title. Van Assche is quite the grinder himself, which should make this match quite a long one, with lots of tough rallies even on a fast court. Youth might well be the deciding factor in favor of the French.
Prediction: Van Assche in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
