It promises to be an exciting third day in Stuttgart. Taylor Fritz will play his first match since a disappointing French Open campaign. Alexander Bublik and the huge-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will also take to the court. Four contests are scheduled in total.
ATP Stuttgart Day 3 Predictions
Yannick Hanfmann vs Mattia Bellucci
Head-to-head: Hanfmann 1-0 Bellucci
Both men had impressive victories in the opening round. Bellucci defeated No. 7 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while Hanfmann overcame Aleksandar Kovacevic, whose game is capable of being dangerous on grass. The Italian’s game has a bit more craft than Kovacevic’s. That could prove crucial to breaking Hanfmann’s rhythm, especially since the German is prone to lapses during matches.
Prediction: Bellucci in 3
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Gauthier Onclin
Head-to-head: Mpetshi Perricard 1-1 Onclin
Onclin secured his first ATP main-draw triumph against Fabian Marozsan in the opening round. This matchup with Mpetshi Perricard will be a radically different matchup. Most of the Frenchman’s matches, including his opening-round win against Roman Safiullin, are decided by fine margins. I do not trust Onclin, who is so new to this level, to stay focused enough in an encounter like that.
Prediction: Mpetshi Perricard in 2
Alxander Bublik vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Struff 4-3 Bublik
This pair has met three times already this year. Bublik won the first two on hard courts before Struff beat him at the French Open. They have never previously met on grass. Their respective powerful serves mean this will likely be a tight battle. I narrowly favor Bublik to overcome the home favorite and 2023 runner-up, but this could go either way.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Martin Landaluce
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fritz is the defending champion in Stuttgart. Returning to a place with happy memories might be just what he needs after losing in the opening round of the French Open. I do not expect him to face many issues against Landaluce. The Spaniard does not have any pedigree on grass and will likely be overwhelmed by his opponent’s power on serve and in the rallies.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
