It’s an exciting day ahead at the ASB Classic. Denis Shapovalov is returning to the tour, Richard Gasquet will be fighting for his life to defend the top 100 spot. Who do you think will advance to the second round?
ATP Auckland Day 2 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: First meeting
In other words, RBA vs RCB. Roberto Bautista Agut was the runner-up in Adelaide last year, this time choosing Auckland as his last warm-up before the Australian Open. The veteran has declined physically, but remains an extremely solid player with precise groundstrokes. On top of that, he’s known for having amazing starts to the season. While he didn’t do anything crazy last week, he was still in good shape and that should allow him to claim the win here over his compatriot, who’s way less hard-court oriented.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
Denis Shapovalov vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: First meeting
Denis Shapovalov has been away from the sport since Wimbledon, so there’s no way of knowing how he’ll look physically here. The 24-year-old is at a bit of a crossroads in his career right now and will need to claw his way back from outside the top 100. It wasn’t just the injuries, it was also months of struggling to put his game together. What can we expect against Sebastian Ofner? Likely a competitive showing, but it’s the in-form Austrian who has to get a slight nod for now.
Prediction: Ofner in 3
Kiranpal Pannu vs Max Purcell
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kiranpal Pannu also received a wildcard to the main draw here last year and was a bit unlucky to run into the eventual champion, Richard Gasquet, in the opening round. Despite some huge achievements like qualifying for the ATP 500 in Washington, he wasn’t too big a threat at the Challenger or even ITF level. Max Purcell is known for struggling against lower-quality opposition with his unique style (and still often troubling the big guns), but the gap seems too big here.
Prediction: Purcell in 2
Arthur Fils vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Fils 1-0
Richard Gasquet is in big trouble this week and unless he makes the final, he will leave the top 100 for the first time since April 2005. The reality is that outside of that Auckland run last year he hasn’t been playing at a top-100 quality for a while now. Is it possible that the determination will allow him to gather some of his best stuff again, whatever that means right now for the 37-year-old? Yes, but the more likely outcome is just for Arthur Fils to be a class above him right now.
Prediction: Fils in 2
Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
