The second-round matches will be played on Day 3 of the Generali Open in Kitzbuhel, and several exciting matches are on the slate. This article features #3 seed Arthur Rinderknech taking on clay specialist Sebastian Baez. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for all the matches, but which players will advance to the quarterfinals?
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 3 Predictions
Ignacio Buse vs Kilian Feldbausch
Head-to-Head: first meeting
#5 seed Ignacio Buse overcame a tough first round against Vit Kopriva to get his maiden victory in Kitzbuhel. After losing the second set in a tiebreaker, Buse upped his first serve percentage significantly and ran away with the third set. After two convincing wins in the qualifiers, Kilian Feldbausch registered his first-ever ATP Tour win, against Daniel Vallejo. Feldbausch also took Miomir Kecmanovic to three sets in Gstaad last week, demonstrating his rapid improvement. I think this would be a tough match for Buse, but he will do enough to get the win.
Prediction: Buse in 3
Alex Molcan vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-Head: Molcan 2-0 Altmaier
Alex Molcan continues his good run of form as he easily defeated Sebastian Ofner in the first round. Molcan was a set away from reaching the final of Umag last week, and he will like his chances to make another deep run here. Daniel Altmaier hasn’t won back-to-back matches in quite a while, and Molcan has defeated him twice this season. I will go with their current form and back Molcan to make it three in a row against the German.
Prediction: Molcan in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Marco Trungelliti
Head-to-Head: Hanfmann 0-1 Trungelliti
This has been one of Yannick Hanfmann’s most successful tournaments over the years, and he is off to another good start. The high altitude here makes his serve extremely dangerous, and it was evident in his first-round match. Hanfmann served 16 aces in two sets against Lukas Neumayer and lost just three points behind his first serve. If he keeps serving like this, Marco Trungelliti will have a hard time getting much rhythm in this match.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 2
Arthur Rinderknech vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Arthur Rinderknech has a great record at the Generali Open and has never lost before the quarterfinals. His big serve will earn him many free points here, and he has been in better form recently, making him very dangerous. Sebastian Baez got a huge win against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round, and as a former champion, he knows how to play well here. However, Baez’s serve is usually a point starter, and if Rinderkench can attack it often, he will create break chances. I am going with the Frenchman.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
