First-round action at the ATP 500 in Munich continues with ten more matches on Tuesday. Three are featured in this article, as Joao Fonseca aims to trim his losing record against Alejandro Tabilo. Who will advance to the next round?
ATP Munich Day 2 Predictions
Luciano Darderi vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-head: first meeting
After a hugely successful Golden Swing, Darderi’s form has cooled off. He’s lost back-to-back matches on clay for the second time this season, which is extremely surprising. That said, Zhang is only 2-7 since capturing the Brisbane Challenger and lost to Ben Shelton in Houston in his only clay-court tournament this term. Despite Darderi’s recent dip, the Italian is still the higher-level player on clay, and he should be expected to attain his peak form this week.
Prediction: Darderi in 2
Flavio Cobolli vs Diego Dedura
Head-to-head: first meeting
This might seem like a mismatch on paper with fourth-seeded Cobolli sitting inside the Top 20 and over 200 spots above young wild card Diego Dedura. But the 18-year-old made quite the splash when he reached the second round as a lucky loser in last year’s edition, beating Denis Shapovalov via retirement (led 7-6 3-0). That said, there is a massive ceiling gap in this matchup. Cobolli’s weight of shot and experience should ease his progress.
Prediction: Cobolli in 2
Joao Fonseca vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: Tabilo 2-0 Fonseca
Joao Fonseca missed the first half of the European clay-court swing last year, so this is his first full participation. In Monte Carlo, the Brazilian was competitive and reached his first quarterfinal of the season. Alejandro Tabilo owns a 2-0 head-to-head record and was responsible for ending Fonseca’s title reign in Buenos Aires earlier this year. The Chilean lefty has racked up 13 wins on clay. But context trims Tabilo’s edge. Fonseca’s Buenos Aires loss came in just his second match of the season. He’s gained confidence and is in far better rhythm on clay.
Prediction: Fonseca in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
