Wednesday at the ATP Moselle Open in Metz, France will see the first round end and the second round begin on Day 3 of main draw play. Who do you think will advance during the final tournament of the ATP season?
ATP Metz Day 3 Predictions
Daniel Altmaier vs Mate Valkusz
Head–to–Head: First meeting
Daniel Altmaier is making his debut in Metz after his Round of 16 loss to Holger Rune in Paris. He had upset Arthur Fils in the opening match before receiving a walkover from Taylor Fritz in the next match. He has won enough matches on his preferred clay to compete regularly on the main tour and with a positive 2 – 1 record on hard courts this year, he’ll be looking to make it to the next round.
Mate Valkusz is one of those players who can take on anyone when in the groove but his fitness issues have often dented his performances. He enters the main draw as a lucky loser having lost to Frenchman Calvin Hemery in the final qualifying match and will be hoping to take advantage of it to secure his maiden main draw win at this level.
The Hungarian can win if he wants to. He is capable of defeating top-50 players despite being ranked outside the top 200. However, Altmaier is the more experienced player and should find a way to bag the win.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Harold Mayot vs Gregoire Barrere
Head–to–Head: Mayot 0 – 1 Barrere
Harold Mayot showed resilience in upsetting Yosuke Watanuki in the first round. He came back from an early break in the first set and then went on to save multiple breakpoints to secure his maiden main draw win here in Metz. He has previously lost out in three qualifying attempts and he’d be fired up to make a deep at this event.
Gregoire Barrere’s experience on indoor hard courts took him past Yannick Hanfmann in the opening round, closing the match after a tiebreaker in the first set. The Frenchman possesses an impressive 218/140 record on indoor hard courts and is a veteran here in Metz.
This is going to be a long, hard-fought match between two home favorites. Barrere hasn’t won a second-round match since Eastbourne and his compatriot will equally be fired up to go one step further after finally a main draw spot. This will go to the wire and I expect Barrere’s experience to come through again.
Prediction: Barrere in 3
Constant Lestienne vs Karen Khachanov
Head–to–Head: Lestienne 0 – 1 Khachanov
Karen Khachanov had to win in Paris and do well here in Metz to secure a spot in Turin but he lost to a rampaging Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals. This will be his second time here in Metz after his second-round loss back in 2021 and his qualification for the next round will solely depend on his motivation.
Constant Lestienne returns to the main tour since the US Open after decent performances on the Challenger circuits. He eased past his compatriot Hemery in the first round in what was an assured display to make it a second opening match win in Metz.
Karen Khachanov is the better player but I feel Lestienne will want this match more.
Prediction: Lestienne in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
