The big hitters will headline day three at the ATP Montpellier 250. That includes the top seed – who is still looking for his first win of the season. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Aleksandar Kovacevic vs David Goffin. But who will progress?
ATP Montpellier Day 3 Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Arthur Cazaux
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 2-0 Cazaux
Auger-Aliassime leads the head-to-head 2-0 but matches against Cazaux have been anything but straightforward. Incidentally, this will be their rematch from 12 months ago. The Canadian won an epic 7-6 in the third in Montpellier. Their most recent clash was just a few weeks ago in Adelaide (finished 7-5 in the third). The Frenchman is inching closer to puncture Auger-Aliassime’s serve and maybe he’ll get his reward. Expect three sets here but with a different match winner.
Prediction: Cazaux in 3
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Bu Yunchaokete vs Constant Lestienne
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bu Yunchaokete snapped a three-match losing run by beating Daniel Altmaier in straight sets. Constant Lestienne, meanwhile, extended his winning streak to three (from qualifying), beating a struggling Borna Coric also in straight sets. The Chinese has so much talent and showcased it in the second half of last season with back-to-back semifinal finishes in Hangzhou and Beijing. He also has plenty of firepower to sweep Lestienne off the court, but the Frenchman’s habit of frustrating opponents with his quirky style of tennis could tip the scales in his favor.
Prediction: Lestienne in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: Koepfer 1-0 Bublik
Another early defeat could send Alexander Bublik outside the top 50 as he puts his title on the line. Bublik is a two-time champion in Montpellier, but not many people will have faith in the Kazakh to make it three titles this week. Two wins from his last 11 matches is a poor return. A court with this profile won’t be Dominik Koepfer’s preference, but the German is still adaptable and is coming off an impressive win over Gregoire Barrere. Bublik’s desperation for that first win of the season could play into Koepfer’s hands.
Prediction: Koepfer in 3
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Andrey Rublev vs Christopher Eubanks
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-0 Eubanks
Andrey Rublev’s five-match losing streak dates back to the end of last season when he lost all three group matches at the ATP Finals. But it is two defeats this year, with his most recent one at the Australian Open, that has raised concerns of Rublev’s form. Rublev might well lose this match. Conversely, this match can also kickstart his season. I’ll go with the latter with Christopher Eubanks probably the sort of opponent who will suit the Russian.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
