Even though we’re just a few days away from the beginning of Roland Garros, the tennis action continues to be in full flow in Parma. With tons of seeds in action on Wednesday–Jan-Lennard Struff, Richard Gasquet and Lorenzo Sonego–there’s more than enough to interest fans. In addition to this article, we also predict Wednesday’s other matches in a separate piece.
ATP Parma Day 4 Predictions
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: 0-0
The fourth seed takes on a 19-year-old wild card ranked #429. On paper this shouldn’t be close–and to make matters even worse, it’s the teenager’s first tour match on the ATP Tour. What he does have going for him, however, is a few Challenger Tour matches on the clay in the past few months. Ultimately, though, going from beating players mostly ranked outside the top 150 to competing with a top 50 player is too much of a big ask.
Prediction: Struff in 2
Richard Gasquet vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: 0-0
It’s safe to say Richard Gasquet isn’t the same Richard Gasquet we once knew. From being a top 10 player and making Grand Slam semifinals and Masters finals, he’s now struggling to even win two consecutive matches, something he’s only achieved once this year. Luckily for the Frenchman, the Spaniard is ranked outside the top 100 and is coming off two losses to players ranked outside the top 200 the past few weeks in Challenger events. Gasquet’s experience and level even these days should get this one done.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
Jaume Munar vs Benoit Paire
Head-to-head: Paire 2-0
It’s sort of ridiculous but Paire is the second seed here, mainly because he’s won just two matches this year in 15 attempts. To make matters even somewhat funnier, the Frenchman leads the Spaniard 2-0 in their head to head with routine 6-2 6-2 and 6-1 6-3 wins, both on the clay. Though at times like this all of that has to be thrown out the window. Munar himself is coming off three losses in a row before this tournament, but he also does have a Marbella final showing just a few weeks ago, barely losing to Pablo Carreno Busta. The 24-year-old doesn’t have the biggest game but he does win a fair amount of matches he should and this is one of those.
Prediction: Munar in 2
Lorenzo Sonego vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0
Now at a new career high thanks to his awesome semifinal showing in Rome–barely losing out to World #1 Novak Djokovic–and a title win in Cagliari just a few weeks ago, it’s safe to say Sonego is riding a wave. On the other hand, Korda, who’s still only 20 is all over the place with a huge number of first round losses this year, despite an ATP Tour final and Challenger win. I have no idea which Korda will show up, but regardless Sonego in this form should get the win here.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
