Six second-round matches are played on Day 2 of the Croatia Open, and every match is exciting on paper. This article features #5 seed, Mariano Navone, who takes on the in-form Jesper de Jong of the Netherlands. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Umag Day 4 Predictions
Vit Kopriva vs Titouan Droguet
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Vit Kopriva battled back from a set down to defeat Raphael Collignon in the first round. Kopriva was far from his best, but he did extremely well to save a lot of break points. He will face a lower-ranked opponent in the form of Titouan Droguet, but it might be an even harder match considering Droguet’s form. The Frenchman took out Cristian Garin in straight sets and has won a lot of matches on clay at the Challenger Tour this season. Both players excel on this surface, and I can see this going three sets.
Prediction: Droguet in 3
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Dino Prizmic
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Nikoloz Basilashvili got an impressive win over Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round and has a good chance to make a deep run this week. His aggressive baseline game and ability to dictate play with powerful groundstrokes make him a dangerous opponent. However, he has to deal with a red-hot teenager in the second round. Dino Prizmic has dominated the Challenger Tour in the last two months and has made a good start here. He easily defeated his first-round opponent in straight sets without even playing his best match. He will have to improve to beat Basilashvili, and I think he will find his best level.
Prediction: Prizmic in 3
Mariano Navone vs Jesper de Jong
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jesper de Jong had the best week of his career last week, reaching the final in Bastad, and he has carried the momentum here with a solid straight sets win in the first round. He didn’t face a single break point, and his serve remains a weapon for him. He will need his serve to hold up against Mariano Navone, who is a solid clay courter and a very tough opponent. Navone lost just three games in the first round and will be looking to tire out de Jong by extending the rallies with his movement and defense.
Prediction: Navone in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
