World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz headlines a jam-packed Day 3 of action at the ATP Mutua Madrid Open. The defending champion has a losing record against Emil Ruuvusuori and will be keen to even the head-to-head. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Madrid Day 3 Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Hugo Grenier
Head-to-head: first meeting
It’s been precisely three months since Sebastian Korda was last seen in action, returning with a wrist injury in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open. Korda’s injury turned out to be a debilitating one, forcing him to skip the entire indoor swing in February and the March Masters. He delayed his comeback, pulling out from tournaments in Estoril and Barcelona respectively. He shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching French qualifier Hugo Grenier who got here by knocking out a struggling Diego Schwartzman. Grenier, however, is unlikely to match Korda for pace.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Alex Molcan
Head-to-head: Molcan 1-0 Nishioka
Molcan eked out a three-set win over Nishioka in Miami last month. Back then the Japanese lefty had hit rock bottom with four straight defeats. He has since managed to steady the ship ending that famine run with a straight-set win over David Goffin in Barcelona and even snatched a set from Jannik Sinner in the subsequent round. Outpacing Molcan on clay can be backbreaking. The Slovak looks comfortably quicker and his high topspin forehand means Nishioka will almost always have to play balls at shoulder height. Advantage Molcan.
Prediction: Molcan in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: Musetti 1-1 Hanfmann
Prior to this year’s European clay swing, Musetti’s season threatened to spiral out of control. With just two wins in his last 10 matches, the Italian one-hander looked bereft of ideas, lacking intensity and penetration in his game. But a mammoth win over Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo has turned the tide. Hanfmann, meanwhile, scaled the qualifying rounds and notched a three-set win over Juan Pablo Varillas in the main draw. But with Musetti past his mini-slump, expect him to have enough in his locker to cool off the German.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Carlos Alcaraz vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 1-0 Alcaraz
There was a subdued feel in the buildup to this year’s Madrid Open with the absence of former champions Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. But expect a major lift when Carlos Alcaraz graces his presence at the Caja Magica. Alcaraz has made four finals in the five tournaments he has played this year and it is hard to assume anyone will loosen his grip on his Madrid crown with the way he is playing. Alcaraz has a score to settle with Rusuuvuori and with a deafening home crowd by his side, this almost feels like a lost cause for the Finn.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
