All the remaining first round matches will be completed on Friday in Antalya, including the beginning of the campaign for some of the top seeds, including Matteo Berrettini or Alex de Minaur. Who do you think will advance to the second round? We predict all ten matches, split between two articles.
ATP Antalya Day 2 Predictions
Matthias Bachinger vs Nicola Kuhn
Head-to-head: First meeting
Matthias Bachinger had a solid qualifying campaign, although the opposition wasn’t exactly one you usually meet at tour-level. Same goes for his first-round opponent. While Nicola Kuhn was once considered an up-and-coming talent, the Spaniard hasn’t played a main draw ATP match in almost two years now and had a very disappointing 2020 campaign. Combined with Bachinger already having two matches in the bag and the surface suiting the German a lot more, this should be up for grabs for him.
Prediction: Bachinger in 2
Jeremy Chardy vs Radu Albot
Head-to-head: Chardy 3-0
Radu Albot will definitely want to start a new chapter in his tennis career, following a dreadful 2020 season. Same for Jeremy Chardy really, who barely even competed, taking part in just seven events all year. As such, we’ve got very little to rely on coming into this one. The Frenchman seems to be a lot past his prime these days and perhaps Albot is more of a sure thing to play at a decent level. The head-to-head meetings go way back to 2017, long before the Moldovan developed into the player he is now.
Prediction: Albot in 3
Tristan Lamasine vs Egor Gerasimov
Head-to-head: Gerasimov 1-0
There’s definitely more to Tristan Lamasine’s game than his ranking suggests, especially the lefty forehand that can win matches for him by itself when on. The consistency isn’t really there though and Egor Gerasimov should be taking this one most of the time. The Belarusian has proven to be a worthy competitor on the main tour during the past couple of seasons and showcased that he can keep a steady top 100-ish level year-round.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
Malek Jaziri vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: First meeting
36-year-old Malek Jaziri is always entertaining to watch but it’s been some time since he was real threat on the main tour. Someone as fast and young as Alex de Minaur should be able to wear him out pretty easily. The young Australian is progressing steadily and has been one of the best ATP 250 level competitors in the past couple of season. Expect a good shotmaking display but it’s de Minaur who ought to be winning the vast majority of points here.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
Matteo Berrettini vs Ergi Kirkin
Head-to-head: First meeting
The Italian enjoyed a rather disappointing campaign in 2020, one that didn’t even feature a top 20 win. While he would be ranked a bit lower if it wasn’t for his 2019 points, Berrettini is still a force to be reckoned with. The serve and the forehand should allow him to smash the ball through the courts in Antalya and there’s no way Ergi Kirkin is ready for that sort of power. Anything else than a straight set victory would be a massive, massive shock here.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our ATP Antalya Day 2 Predictions? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
