The post Wimbledon clay court swing enters its third and final week. It’s been a period of the ATP season where generally the top players recharge their batteries but that doesn’t mean the tennis isn’t entertaining. The action is now in Kitzbuhel, Austria, and the crowd should be out in good numbers to support fellow Austrian Dominic Thiem. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all five scheduled matches for you.
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 2 Predictions
Nicolas Jarry vs Pedro Martinez
Head to head – First Meeting
Both players enter this match on the back of a quarter-final run last week in the Swiss Open. Nicolas Jarry’s run was slightly more impressive as he had to come through qualifying. Pedro Martinez has had a decent year by his standards winning his first ever career title at the Chile Open and the Spaniard will look forward to making the most out of this week as well. Expect Jarry to be competitive but Martinez looks slightly stronger on this surface.
Prediction: Martinez in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Gerald Melzer
Head to head – Hanfmann 1-0 Melzer
The younger brother of Jurgen Melzer, Gerald Melzer is relatively unknown to the tennis fans as compared to his big brother but perhaps a first main draw appearance this year will lead to more spotlight. The Austrian can count on home support and his first round opponent in Yannick Hanfmann is not in form either. That being said, the German is still a very tricky opponent on his day especially at this level on the clay courts and while the Austrian won’t give up till the last point, Hanfmann will have the match on his racket for the most part.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Sebastian Ofner
Head to head – First Meeting
Sebastian Ofner is one of the many Austrian players in action and he’s playing just his second main draw match this year on the ATP tour. Relatively inexperienced, he takes on one of the most experienced players on tour in Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman is still a delight to watch on the tennis court and his court craft is matched by very few. Expect Ofner to ride home support for a while but Gasquet should win this on the back of his experience.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
Pablo Andujar vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head to head – Andujar 1-1 Sonego
Both players have beaten each other once in relatively straightforward fashion with both previous meetings ending in straight sets. Pablo Andujar is a seasoned veteran of the game and while he hasn’t had a particularly good year so far, the Spaniard is still very potent on the clay courts. Lorenzo Sonego has failed to win a single match post Wimbledon in his previous two tournaments and form wise the Italian does not look very confident. Expect a slugfest with several momentum shifts and the Spaniard relying on his experience and court craft to nab the win.
Prediction: Andujar in 3
Alexander Shevchenko vs Dominic Thiem
Head to head – First Meeting
All eyes are on Dominic Thiem once again this week as the 2020 US Open champ still searches for his peak form. A quarterfinal and semifinal run in his previous two tournaments have instilled some confidence in the Austrian which he would very much like to keep on building upon this week. His first round opponent is Alexander Shevchenko who has done well to come through qualifying and play in his first main draw singles match of the year and his career. Thiem might be struggling at this point of his career but not enough to lose this match.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
