Second-round matches will be played on Wednesday at the ATP ASB Classic in Auckland, and the lineup is stacked with quality encounters. This article features top seed Ben Shelton facing off against the talented Jakub Mensik. As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for day 3. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Auckland Day 3 Predictions
Nuno Borges vs Mariano Navone
Head-to-Head: Borges 0-1 Navone
Just like in Hong Kong, Nuno Borges came through a tough three-setter in the first round. But unlike last week, Borges will look to make the quarterfinals and has a winnable match against Mariano Navone, who won just his fourth match on hard courts. Navone played a good match against Adrian Mannarino and was in full control in the third set. Navone outplayed Borges in their only encounter last year, but that was on clay, and the Portuguese player has a superior record on hard courts.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Sebastian Baez vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Head-to-Head: Baez 2-0 Diaz Acosta
Sebastian Baez’s first match of the season will be against his compatriot, Facundo Diaz Acosta. Baez has dominated this matchup in the past, but all of their encounters have been on clay. Both players are clay specialists, but the gap is reduced on hard courts and Diaz Acosta will feel confident after a brilliant win over Cameron Norrie in the first round. I have Diaz Acosta winning this one.
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 3
Gael Monfils vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: Monfils 2-0 Struff
Gael Monfils made a miraculous comeback in the first round as he was down a set and a break in the second set. His opponent, Pedro Martinez. was serving for the match before Monfils broke back and turned the match around. The Frenchman’s experience helped him to get out of that situation, but he will need to improve against Jan-Lennard Struff, who played one of his best matches in a long time in the first round. Struff was brilliant on serve and will hope for a similar performance against Monfils.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Ben Shelton vs Jakub Mensik
Head-to-Head: Shelton 1-0 Mensik
This is easily the pick of the matches on Day 3, and if they both play close to their best, the fans will be greatly entertained. Top seed and last year’s finalist at the ASB Classic, Ben Shelton will surely look to start his season with a victory, but Jakub Mensik will have other ideas. Mensik has already played four matches this season and could take advantage of any rust from Shelton. These two are going to play many matches against each other and I am picking Mensik to take round two.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
