Following on from the ATP 500 events from last week, we have a couple of ATP 250 events, including ATP Mallorca, before Wimbledon gets underway. A few players will be hoping they can get some grass court action for the first time this season, while there are others hoping to improve on limited outings on the surface so far. In this segment we cover the ATP Mallorca, and as always, offer our insights and predictions on who might progress. It might only be a 250 event but there’s certainly plenty of exciting stuff sure to play out across the week. Let’s get started!
ATP Mallorca Day 1 Predictions
Mariano Navone vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 2-0
Sonego is one of those players who tends to be quite up and down. Unfortunately for him, it’s been mostly down lately. Navone will be playing his first match since Roland Garros, and while he’s clearly the player in better form, it raises a question mark about how quickly he can transition to grass. For all Sonego’s troubles, he’s already gotten three grass matches under his belt and naturally gives it his all when he takes to the court. He also has the morale-boosting knowledge that, across the court, there is a player who has never taken a set off him, including a victory at Wimbledon two years ago. The signs point to a much-needed victory for the Italian.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
Yannick Hanfmann vs Adolfo Daniel Vallejo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Vallejo is basically a clay court player. He has also not played any grass-court matches, or any match for that matter, since a second-round loss at the French Open. In his opponent, Hanfmann, he’ll find a player whose serve and overall power game are certain to cause the Paraguayan plenty of trouble. In addition, the German has already played a handful of matches on grass, recording a couple of good wins. Both players will be meeting for the first time and as such will have no previous experience of playing each other to go by. The match rests on Hanfmanns racquets if he wants it.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 2
Nuno Borges vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: Borges 2-0
Mannarino has been busy this grass season, having endured an atrocious clay season where he failed to win a single match. He has already played a handful of grass matches, twice as many as his opponent, and has won most of them. Borges, on the other hand, has won only one of his three grass court matches so far. To be fair to him, he’s played some really strong grass players in his two losses. In that time, the Portuguese has also shown plenty to suggest he’s capable of much more. Mannarino loves the grass and will make this match uncomfortable for Borges, as is his usual style. I still think Borges will finally find some joy this week and emerge victorious.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
