The second day of main draw action at the 2023 ATP Mallorca Championships has six singles matches on the schedule (plus the deciding set from Ilya Ivashka vs Roberto Carballes Baena, which was rained off on Sunday). Jordan Thompson vs Richard Gasquet is the most exciting clash of them all; who do you think will prevail? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
ATP Mallorca Day 2 Predictions
Pavel Kotov vs Li Tu
Head-to-head: Tu 1-0
This year is Pavel Kotov‘s first grass season and he hasn’t looked spectacular thus far. The Russian scored just one win in three events and ended up losing in the final qualifying round here. His opponent was Li Tu, whom he’s going to get another shot at just a day after. Tennis results don’t always repeat themselves and it bodes the question if Kotov will be better prepared this time around. Tu has been putting in a stronger grass campaign so far and can cover up his backhand liabilities on these courts. Maybe he prevails again.
Prediction: Tu in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Pedro Cachin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Yannick Hanfmann’s grass-court results have never been great, which is very explainable to an extent. However, the discrepancy between his achievements on this surface and all other conditions still felt a bit weird. But even his last week’s win over Louis Wessels in Halle kinda showed that he’s still not fully comfortable on the lawn. This is a great draw though as Pedro Cachin has a much less natural style for these courts and the weaponry of Hanfmann should help him prevail. The Argentinian’s underrated serve could keep it close though.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
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Jordan Thompson vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Thompson 2-0
This is the big one on Monday in Mallorca with both players having fantastic grass-court pedigrees. Richard Gasquet made the semifinals at Wimbledon twice (2007, 2015) and keeps showing he’s still got some tricks in the bag. Jordan Thompson is a more recent excellent player on this surface with a number of runs in the past couple of years and a Hertogenbosch final just two weeks ago. The Australian has really improved his serve and it could be the deciding factor, along with how gritty his grinding is.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Main Photo Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
