ATP Umag in Croatia is one of the most entertaining and festive events on the tour every year, this 250 on clay kicks off on Sunday with two main draw matches. Here is your look at the early round action.
Raphael Collignon vs Vit Kopriva
Collignon at 18-5 on the year on the Challenger Tour is looking for that ATP tournament where he can make a big run, this might be it. The winner of two Challengers this year, he failed to fire in Bastad. Kopriva did win a match in Bastad, his 6-6 ATP Tour record is better this season, and he’s 14-6 on the Challenger Tour with a title. This a closely contested match, but Kopriva’s form looks slightly better. Prediction: Kopriva in 3
Matej Dodig vs Francesco Passaro
The 20 year old Dodig is Croatia’s next big tennis hope after the likes of Ivan Ljubicic, Borna Coric, and Marin Cilic. He achieved great results as a teenager and has won a match at this Umag tournament before. He just won his first Challenger Title (Trieste) and thrives on clay. Passaro qualified and won a match in Gstaad before falling to Jerome Kym. 12-7 on the Challenger Tour this season, he’s also a formidable opponent, but playing at home, Dodig should be highly motivated. Prediction: Dodig in 2
Vilius Gaubas vs Titouan Droguet (qualifying final round)
The 20 year old Gaubas is off to his best season on tour, he’s had two great runs on the Challenger Tour this season, Droguet recently made it a challenger final, his third of the season (winning one). Both these players are thriving at their level right now, form favors the more experienced Frenchman. Prediction: Droguet in 2
Giulio Zeppieri vs Luca Van Assche (qualifying final round)
Zeppieri hasn’t won a tour level match this season but made his mark qualifying for Wimbledon and the French Open this year. 16-12 at the Challenger Tour level this season, Van Assche has seen his ranking collapse as he’s no longer a regular on the ATP Tour and his points per tournament has fallen. Both players have talent but they are quite mercurial, Zeppieri may have the upper hand on this surface. Prediction: Zeppieri in 2
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images DAVIDxPINTENS
