We move into second-round action in Metz on Day 4 at this loaded ATP 250-level event. Reigning champion Hubert Hurkacz will take the court against Dominic Thiem and current world No. 4 Daniil Medvedev will get a chance to avenge his 2020 Australian Open defeat against Stan Wawrinka. We at LWOT will be previewing those matches as well as all other happenings around the grounds of Metz. But who will advance?
ATP Metz Day 4 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-Head: Hurkacz 2-0 Thiem
Hubert Hurkacz is back in Metz looking to defend his 2021 title. The #2 seed gets a very tough opening draw against former world No. 3 Dominic Thiem. Thiem took out Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6(3) in an entertaining first-round match. The Austrian is coming off of a run to the Rennes Challenger final and has won five of his last six matches. After losing his first seven matches when returning back from wrist surgery in late March, Thiem has strung together a 15-7 record competing mostly at the tour level.
With that said, Thiem is certainly not back to playing at his Grand Slam winning level. Hurkacz is more than a step above the 29-year-old in their current forms. The fast, indoor courts Metz provides will help the Pole end points quickly and play the offensive style he relishes. I see Hurkacz emerging victorious in two sets.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Holger Rune vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Holger Rune and Benjamin Bonzi are set to square off for the first time with a spot in the Metz quarterfinals on the line. Bonzi battled past countryman Ugo Humbert in a three-set, round one bout. He looks to keep that momentum going in his home country during what has been a career year for the 26-year-old.
As the #4 seed, Rune received a bye into the second round. Like all 19-year-olds (besides Carlos Alcaraz, I suppose), Rune has had his fair share of ups and downs this season. He is 3-10 since his run to the Roland Garros quarterfinals and is looking to regain some form to close out the 2022 season.
I expect these two to produce a high-quality, three-set battle in what will be the final night match in Metz. I am intrigued to see how Rune deals with what will surely be a very rowdy and pro-Bonzi crowd. The young Dane has struggled in the past dealing with raucous crowds. Until he proves otherwise, I think that will be his demise on Thursday night.
Prediction: Bonzi in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-Head: Medvedev 2-1 Wawrinka
Daniil Medvedev and Stan Wawrinka will square off in an incredibly star-studded second-round match in Metz. Medvedev posted a 10-3 summer hard court record. Certainly a fine mark, but it was not good enough to hold his number one ranking. The current world No. 4 is on the hunt for just his second title of the season. Across the net from Medvedev will be former world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka. Wawrinka advanced through two rounds of qualifying before taking out Joao Sousa in round one to set up this battle. This marks the first time the Swiss native has won three consecutive matches since November 2020.
The way Wawrinka has worked himself back to tour-level fitness and form is admirable. With that said, Daniil Medvedev is a different animal on indoor hard courts. I could see Wawrinka pushing the Russian in one set, but I expect Medvedev to get out of this match in straights.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
