Day 2 of the ATP Croatia Open in Umag is stacked with eight first-round matches and features three-time Grand Slam champion, Stan Wawrinka, alongside other solid players. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance to the next round?
ATP Umag Day 2 Predictions
Carlos Taberner vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Carlos Taberner is playing here for the first time since 2021, when he won in the first round, and will be looking to do the same this time. Clay is his best surface, and his only Tour-level win has come on this surface this season. Pierre-Hugues-Herbert, on the other hand, prefers faster surfaces and will not like the slow conditions of the Croatia Open. Taberner’s ability to grind out points and be more consistent gives him the edge.
Prediction: Taberner in 3
Giulio Zeppieri vs Chun-Hsin Tseng
Head-to-Head: Zeppieri 1-0 Tseng
Giulio Zeppieri is steadily approaching his desired level every week, having easily advanced past the qualifying draw and returned to the main draw of his most successful Tour-level event. Zeppieri reached the semifinal here back in 2022 and will be hoping to win his first Tour-level match of the season against Chun-Hsin Tseng, who is on a five-match losing streak in all competitions. Tseng is the higher-ranked player here, but form and head-to-head are not in his favour.
Prediction: Zeppieri in 3
Mariano Navone vs Tomas Barrios Vera
Head-to-Head: Navone 1-0 Barrios Vera
This is the rematch of their first-round meeting at the Nordea Open in Bastad last week, where Mariano Navone won in two tight sets. Tomas Barrios Vera will look to get immediate revenge. However, Navone’s ability to outlast his opponents makes him the favorite again, and I trust him more in pressure situations. This can go to the wire, but the Argentine should come out with the win.
Prediction: Navone in 3
Stan Wawrinka vs Alvaro Guillen Meza
Head-to-Head: first meeting
This has been an extremely tough season for former Croatia Open champion Stan Wawrinka, as he has only won one Tour-level match. His movement and stamina are not what they were five years ago, but he can still produce great tennis on his day. Wawrinka has a good record here and will be eager to get a win. He has a winnable match against Alvaro Guillen Meza, who reached the main draw via qualifying. Meza has won a Challenger title on clay this season, but doesn’t have much experience at this level. Wawrinka’s powerful game should be enough to win this one.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
