The ATP Tour part of the Golden Swing is finally kicking off with four main draw singles matches on the first day of the 2025 IEB+ Argentina Open on red clay. Mariano Navone and Francisco Comesana will revisit a fascinating rivalry that has taken a complete turn already. Who do you think will claim the win in their 11th meeting?
ATP Buenos Aires Day 1 Predictions
Roberto Carballes Baena vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: 1-1
Pretty tough to say how these two veterans will go at each other here considering it will be their first clay match of the season. Undeniably it’s Roberto Carballes Baena who’s closer to the peak of his career and has been slowly improving his game over the years to where it’s also pretty solid on other surfaces. Dusan Lajovic hasn’t done anything in months and that lack of momentum might hurt him, even if he’s had instances of suddenly waking up for the Golden Swing in the past.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in 2
Alexandre Muller vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: First meeting
Laslo Djere has had some setbacks while trying to return to the Top 100, but his qualifying campaign was really strong with straight-set wins over Marco Trungelliti and Federico Coria. He might be the most dangerous qualifier and now it’s a question of whether Alexandre Muller is vulnerable. The Frenchman suffered a disappointing exit at the Rosario Challenger, but had a whole week to train since. Despite winning an ATP Tour title recently, his quality isn’t that much higher than Djere’s even at this point in time.
Prediction: Djere in 3
Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Head-to-head: 2-2
Facundo Diaz Acosta was a surprise champion at this event last year and will now try to defend his title. Neither he nor Thiago Seyboth Wild have played on clay this year with the Argentinian suffering an injury at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, his opponent is yet to win a match this season on any surface. Seyboth Wild can get his form going and start peaking at any time, but Diaz Acosta’s game is quite versatile and as long as he’s healthy, he’ll require that great level from the Brazilian.
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 3
Mariano Navone vs Francisco Comesana
Head-to-head: Comesana 6-4
This is quite a fascinating rivalry as for a long while, Francisco Comesana was completely dominating it with a 6-0 record and back-to-back Challenger finals won over Mariano Navone in Corrientes and Buenos Aires. But then things began shifting and it was the younger of the two that took their last four meetings, including another Challenger final in Santa Cruz. Their last matches had Navone outplay Comesana in the angle game off the ground and make him struggle to end points. If he can do it despite having no clay rhythm going into this match, he might win again.
Prediction: Navone in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
