As Monte Carlo comes to a close, the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell kicks off. On the first day, we have plenty of matches to sink our teeth into, including a crackling clash between Emil Ruusuvuori and Alexander Bublik. As always at LWOT, we’re predicting the matches taking place on the first day’s play.
ATP Barcelona Day 1 Predictions
Ilya Ivashka vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: First meeting
Nuno Borges has got the quality to impose himself in almost any clay-court match. He was unusually flat in Estoril however. Perhaps the pressure of playing at home got to him or perhaps he felt the pressure of bringing the same level to the ATP as he has been bringing to Challengers.
If it’s the latter, Ilya Ivashka will be ready to pounce. The Belarusian has all the shots but falters in some of the tighter moments–if it’s relatively one-sided, he won’t have any reason to feel tight. We’re leaning towards Borges having felt the pressure of a high-stakes match as he’s still had limited experience at this level.
Prediction: Ivashka in 3.
Bernabe Zapata Miralles vs Attila Balazs
Head-to-head: Balasz 2-0 Zapata Miralles (all levels)
Though he is currently ranked outside the top 700, Attila Balazs has been a top 100 player in the past. He’s making one last attempt at making a few deep runs at the age of 34. Whilst that’s commendable, even if there is some underlying quality to his game, the Hungarian is going to be incredibly rusty having only played Monte Carlo qualifying in the last 10 months.
On the other side of the net, Bernabe Zapata Miralles will be ready to take advantage of any weaknesses. The Spaniard is probably playing the best tennis of his life ,which should be more than enough to let Balazs overheat.
Prediction: Zapata Miralles in 2.
Pedro Martinez vs Josef Kovalik
Head-to-head: Martinez 2-1 Kovalik (all levels)
Both players have looked a little vulnerable recently. Josef Kovalik has lost 12 of his last 15 matches including losses to Martin Landaluce (junior star but still ranked #1066), Pedro Sousa (#475), Dino Prizmic (#381) and Matwe Middelkoop (who is unranked having not played singles for six years).
Pedro Martinez has lost a lot of matches recently too, but to much higher-ranked players. Watching him lose to Felix Auger-Aliassime in Indian Wells in particular–though it may have been 7-6 6-4, Martinez showed plenty of grit and fight. Whatever his form, he goes into this match with a much more reliable base level.
Prediction: Martinez in 2.
Alexander Bublik vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 2-1 Bublik
For the first time since 2020, Alexander Bublik has left the top 50. His record of 4-13 is underlined by a nine-match losing streak to open the year. To make matters worse, he’s lost nine of his last ten clay-court matches, a surface he’s always taken a disliking too.
Why Emil Ruusuvuori hasn’t found his feet on this surface is a bit of a mystery. The Finn’s serve is a little weak but his groundstrokes are heavy and should be suited to knocking his opponents off-balance. He should be able to boss the important points just as he did last year against Bublik at the same venue.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 2.
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
