The remainder of the first round matchups will be completed on day 2 of the ATP Cordoba Open. An interesting matchup between rising star Sebastian Baez and tour veteran Fernando Verdasco headlines play on Tuesday. Does Verdasco still have what it takes to compete at this level? We also predict the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
ATP Cordoba Day 2 Predictions
Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Andrej Martin
H2H: First meeting.
Ramos-Vinolas is a veteran of the Golden Swing. The Spaniard traditionally does some of his best work at this time of the year, including a run to the final in Cordoba last year. A switch to the clay courts in South America is likely to bring a change in fortunes for the 34-year-old who hasn’t won a match since Indian Wells last year.
Andrej Martin’s poor recent form gives the Spaniard the clear edge. Martin has played a couple of challengers on clay in the last few weeks, losing comfortably in the opening round to lesser ranked opponents on each occasion. There’s little to suggest Martin will be good enough to get the better of someone as solid as Ramos-Vinolas in these conditions.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 2
Nicolas Jarry vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
H2H: Etcheverry 1-0
Etcheverry easily defeat Jarry 6-4 6-1 in their only previous meeting at a Brazilian Challenger event late last year. Etcheverry is a player on the rise, but the 22-year-old remains inconsistent and experienced at the ATP tour level. Jarry is working his way back to where he once was, a dangerous player in these conditions thanks to his heavy serve and forehand. I’ll side with the more experienced Chilean here. Jarry has the game to control this matchup and is likely to prevail so long as he executes well enough.
Prediction: Jarry in 3
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Hugo Dellien
H2H: Galan 2-1
A rematch of an epic semifinal clash at the Concepcion Challenger event a few weeks ago where Galan outlasted Dellien in a final set tiebreaker on route to winning the title. Expect another long, tough grind between these two clay court specialists. A revenge win is on the cards for Dellien. The Bolivian is probably slightly more likely to win in this matchup more often than not thanks to his more consistent playing style. Back-to-back semifinals at challenger events over the last few weeks leave Dellien well placed to perform well this week.
Prediction: Dellien in 3
Sebastian Baez vs Fernando Verdasco
H2H: First meeting.
A matchup between players at totally opposite ends of their respective careers. Sebastian Baez is one of the most promising young players on the ATP Tour. The Argentine dominated the challenger tour in 2021. Baez won 6 challenger titles on clay in 2021 from the 9 finals he made. At 38 years of age Verdasco is nearing the end of his career. Baez looks like the obvious pick here. Verdasco was beaten by Nicolas Moreno De Alboran and Pedro Cachin in straight sets over the last few weeks at challenger events in south American. That type of form suggests the veteran Spaniard will be unable to live with the rising star.
Prediction: Baez in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
