The first day of ATP play on the clay courts of Gstaad brought much enjoyable tennis, including a much needed victory for 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem. The second day sees another Grand Slam champion in action as Stanislas Wawrinka takes on Roberto Carballes Baena, alongside other first round matches on Centre Court and Court 1. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in Gstaad in a separate article. Who do you think will win?
ATP Gstaad Day 2 Predictions
Pedro Cachin vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: Daniel 1-0 Cachin
It is the #90 vs #104 in the world in a match that is difficult to call. Cachin is more of a pure clay court specialist, with nearly all of his notable career results on the ATP and Challenger circuits coming on the dirt. The Argentine has been struggling a bit this season though, losing 18 of his 27 matches on the ATP tour and only making a single Challenger final. Daniel has been the opposite this year. The Japanese player has mostly struggled in his Challenger Tour matches, but has managed a better nine wins out of the 17 ATP matches he has competed in. Overall I will give Cachin a slight edge in this one. Despite some of his difficulties this year, I think he is more used to winning clay court matches against players who are similar in ranking to himself. That may just get him over the line.
Prediction: Cachin in 3
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Arthur Fils vs Dominic Stricker
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a fun match. Both players like and are capable of hitting big from the back of the court. 19-year-old Fils is a rising hope and star of French tennis, winning his maiden ATP title on clay in Lyon in May. The Frenchman’s underwhelming couple of recent performances on grass won’t dent his confidence. In fact I suspect he will feel reinvigorated returning to the dirt. Stricker has had some impressive performances on the Challenger circuit this year, winning two titles. He still remains outside the top 100, although his sole ATP victory this season came in his last tournament at Wimbledon in a five-set victory over Alexei Popyrin. Fils has a little more natural talent and skill, and the matchup between the two on clay should suit him more with his movement and extra time to wind up his groundstrokes.
Prediction: Stricker in 2
Stan Wawrinka vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: first meeting
Stanislas Wawrinka’s season has been more impressive than many realize. The 38 year-old has been through multiple injuries and it looked like his career may be over, but he has fought his way back to record his highest number of match wins since 2020, with nearly half the season remaining. The three-time Grand Slam champion’s run to the third round of Wimbledon on his worst surface will give him extra encouragement as he returns to his favoured clay courts. Carballes Baena has a lower win percentage this season than Wawrinka, although he did claim his second ATP title in Marrakech in April. The Spaniard is a true clay court specialist, and will hope to find joy using his heavy topspin forehand into the one-handed backhand of Wawrinka. But the Swiss has a good record in the first rounds of events this season, and will be feeling in good form after Wimbledon. I think he will take this one.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
