Attention now switches to the brief post-Wimbledon clay-court season. The ATP 250 in Gstaad is one of three tournaments this week, featuring five main draw matches on the opening day. Who will progress?
ATP Gstaad Day 1 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Joel Schwaerzler
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sonego is having a poor season. With just eight wins in 20 matches at all levels, the Italian is a long way off from matching last year’s tally of 25 wins. Joel Schwaerzler’s highlight this year remains his title win at the Kigali Challenger in early March. The Austrian is currently on a four-match losing streak, but Gstaad’s altitude could still help him to turn this into a competitive match.
Prediction: Schwaerzler in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Kilian Feldbausch
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kecmanovic had the toughest opening draw at Wimbledon, but the Serbian was the only player to take a set from Jannik Sinner before the final. That early loss means that Kecmanovic is in need of more court time this month. He reached the semifinals in his only trip to Gstaad three years ago. Feldbausch will have the backing of the home crowd. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season on the Challenger Tour, winning a maiden title in Kosice at the end of May, and he was the runner-up at the Troyes Challenger last weekend. That said, I think if Kecmanovic begins anywhere near the level he produced at Wimbledon, he should find a way through.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
Raphael Collignon vs Timofey Skatov
Head-to-head: Skatov 1-0 Collignon
Collignon is winless in his last three, wth th most shocking result being a first-round loss in Eastbourne to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. But he brings solid clay-court form into Gstaad. He won the Monza Challenger in April and reached the third round of the French Open with that eye-catching straight-sets win over Ben Shelton. Skatov came through qualifying without dropping a set and he’s been equally impressive on clay at the Challenger level. The Kazakh’s win over Collignon last year adds a bit of intrigue to this rematch. But with recent improvements, Collignon should be consistent in pressure moments.
Prediction: Collignon in 3
Clement Tabur vs Jurij Rodionov
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tabur and Rodionov are clay-court specialists, but the Austrian has the higher peak level and greater experience (former Top 100 player). That said, Rodionov’s consistency has often been an issue, and his 6-3 6-2 loss to Mathys Erhard at the Milan Challenger was rather disappointing. Moreover, his performance raises serious questions about where his confidence currently stands. Momentum appears to be firmly on Tabur’s side, who was convicning in qualifying for this event, and I think he’s got a slight edge.
Prediction: Tabur in 3
Dominic Stricker vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: first meeting
Stricker has picked up two ITF titles this year. His ranking is on an upward trajectory as he inches closer to re-entering the Top 300. The Swiss lefty has struggled with career-threatening injuries in the past two seasons and he has not quite fulfilled his full potential. His recent retirement at the Troyes Challenger leaves more questions than answers pertaining to his fitness. This should be a favorable draw for Munar to extend his good record in Gstaad, where he has twice reached the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Munar in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
