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
Marcos Giron vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Giron 2-1 Van De Zandschulp
Botic scored the best win of his career when he beat Alcaraz in straight sets at the US Open, but he has been predictably unable to keep that level since. In general, he and Giron have quite similar levels and this should be a very tight match and a very hard one to call. In the recent Asian tournaments, Giron played at a higher level and should perhaps have the slight edge going by current form.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: first meeting
On clay it could be a different story, but on a quick hard court, and especially playing at home, Bergs should have a very clear edge in this matchup. He has been playing some nice tennis recently, while Diaz Acosta’s success at ATP level has basically come exclusively from clay court events. Bergs should win with relative ease here.
Prediction: Bergs in 2
Arthur Rinderknech vs Alexander Blockx
Head-to-head: first meeting
Based on ranking, Rinderknech would be a clear favorite, but he has plateaued for a while, while Blockx is a promising youngester playing at home. Rinderknech has really been struggling to win matches consistently and Blockx will most certainly have a good chance here; if he can feed a bit of the home crowd, he can get his first ever ATP level win here.
Prediction: Blockx in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: Lehecka 1-0 Munar
Lehecka has picked himself up nicely after injury in the Madrid semifinals derailed his season. He has only been losing to high level opponents recently and actually beat Munar last week in Shanghai in straight sets. The same should happen here again, on a hard court Lehecka should always have a very clear edge in this matchup.
Predictions: Lehecka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports
