Top seeds will make their debut at the ATP 250 event in Antwerp on Wednesday, with all of the action in Belgium headlined by top seed Alex De Minaur, and third seed Felix Auger Aliassime. LWOT predicts the upcoming matches. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Antwerp Day 3 Predictions
Gilles Arnaud Bailly vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: First meeting
This match marks Bailly’s second tour-level match on the ATP Tour. Interestingly, his first one was at the 2022 tournament in Antwerp; he received a wildcard and lost to David Goffin in a three-set battle. Bailly, a 19-year-old, had to earn his spot in Antwerp this week after qualifying for the main draw while not dropping a set along the way. Altmaier has struggled throughout the second half of the season, but he should be the favorite based on ranking. Look for Bailly to grab a set, but the more match-experienced Altmaier should reach the second round.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Hugo Gaston vs Mariano Navone
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gaston claimed a tough win on the indoor hard courts over Alexey Vatutin, who is ranked just inside the Top 400. Meanwhile, Navone’s brutal 3-6 6-4 7-6 (6) win in the first round marked just his third ever tour-level win on hard courts. Gaston is defending quarterfinalist points from last year’s tournament, while a win for Navone would inch his ranking back up toward the Top 40. Navone seems to be in better form at the moment and should have more confidence after winning in a third-set tiebreaker.
Prediction: Navone in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Tomás Martín Etcheverry
Head-to-head: First meeting
This clash should feature similar styles of play — heavy and consistent groundstrokes from the baseline, and great returns of serve. Bautista Agut is clawing his way back up the rankings after an injury-filled 2023 season. Meanwhile, Etcheverry is growing on faster courts and also rising in the rankings. Both players also won their opening matches against Frenchmen — Bautista Agut took out Luca Van Assche 6-2 6-1, while Etcheverry defeated the soon-to-be-retired Richard Gasquet 7-6 (4) 6-4. Etcheverry is having a better 2024 season, and he’s been playing well on hard courts, headlined by pushing World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Shanghai. Look for Etcheverry to win this.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 2
Felix Auger Aliassime vs Martin Fuscovics
Head-to-head: 2-2
Auger Aliassime should be happy entering the indoor hard-court season. During the 2023 season, he compiled a 6-1 record during the indoor hard-court swing and went 16-2 in 2022 throughout the same period. Fuscovics’ form has dipped in 2024, but this head-to-head does somewhat favor the World No. 93. He defeated Auger Aliassime in their latest meeting at the 2023 ATP 1000 event in Shanghai, and enters into this match coming off a 6-2 6-0 win over wildcard Raphael Collignon. Meanwhile, the Canadian is on a four-match losing streak. Auger Aliassime could very well lose this match if his patches of inconsistency continue, but it’s hard to look away from his good form during this time of year.
Prediction: Auger Aliassime in 3
Alex de Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Beana
Head-to-head: de Minaur 1-0
All eyes will be on De Minaur as he tries to clinch a spot in the ATP Finals. He’s faced an unfortunate hip injury over the past few months, but this matchup should allow him to get match-tough. Notably, this will be the Australian’s first match since the US Open. Carballes Beana struggles on faster hard courts, and De Minaur will be able to pace his groundstrokes and get a lot of looks at break points. Look for the Australian to reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: De Minaur in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
