The Rio Open in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the first ATP 500 tournament of the season on clay and the draw is stacked with clay court specialists. Six first-round matches are scheduled on Day 1, featuring multiple local players. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Rio Day 1 Predictions
Alexander Shevchenko vs Felipe Meligeni Alves
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Alexander Shevchenko is having a tough start to the season and is participating at the Rio Open for the first time. Clay is not the best surface of Shevchenko and the slow conditions in Rio will not suit his game. However, he is much more experienced than his first-round opponent, Felipe Meligeni Alves, a local wild card who will play his first tour-level match of the season. The crowd support will be key for Meligeni Alves and might help him play his best tennis. I am going with the local player on this one.
Prediction: Meligeni Alves in 3
Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Thiago Monteiro
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Facundo Diaz Acosta could not defend his Buenos Aires title as he lost to Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round. He will face another dangerous Brazilian player here as he seeks his first clay-court win of the season. Thiago Monteiro has not won a main draw match this season but has played better than the results suggest. Monteiro has a good record at the Rio Open, making the quarterfinals twice in the past. Both these players lost to the eventual winner, Sebastian Baez last year. It’s always an exciting matchup when two left-handed players meet. I am giving a slight edge to Monteiro as he thrives with the crowd support.
Prediction: Monteiro in 3
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-Head: Wild 1-1 Munar
This is a rematch of last year’s second-round match at the Rio Open, where Thiago Seyboth Wild eclipsed Jaume Munar in three sets. Munar would be confident of getting revenge as he is in the form of his life. The Spaniard has reached two semifinals this season and should be an even bigger threat on clay courts. However, Wild is a great talent and would enjoy the backing from the crowd. This should be an exciting match between two players with different game styles. The Brazilian has the game to beat Munar but Munar’s form is too good to be overlooked.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
