Day 2 at the ATP Barcelona Open will be overshadowed by the return of 12-time champion, Rafael Nadal. We predict his match, and others, in a separate article. Who will potentially make it to the next round from the other matches?
ATP Barcelona Day 2 Predictions
Dusan Lajovic vs Diego Schwartzman
Head–to–Head: Lajovic 3 vs 3 Schwartzman
Ordinarily this should be a walkover for Dusan Lajovic against an erstwhile out-of-form Diego Schwartzman but the Serb’s current poor form has coincided with the Argentine’s seeming resurgence.
Both players have traded their head-to-head on all surfaces and on clay but on the back of two recent wins, Schwartzman should be confident of grinding out a win against a familiar opponent.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
Borna Coric vs Facundo Diaz Acosta
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Borna Coric is the better and more experienced player on this surface but he’s played only twice on clay this season and lost his most recent game. Facundo Diaz Acosta on the other hand is on a 11-6 record this year. He won the Challenger title in Montevideo to add to his maiden title on tour in Buenos Aires.
Diaz Acosta will certainly be looking to consolidate on his progress this season and he stands a chance to win this if he puts his best foot forward.
Prediction: Diaz Acosta in 3
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Nick Hardt
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Nick Hardt is on a remarkable 22-5 win-loss record on clay this season. There is no reason he shouldn’t be confident taking this game to Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentine only managed to win a single game as he was comprehensively outclassed in Monte Carlo by eventual champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Hardt will make this hard for the Argentine, but Etcheverry hasn’t lost consecutive matches on the dirt this season. Back the more experienced player to outclass the emerging Dominican star.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Sebastian Baez vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Sebastian Baez is currently experiencing a regression after a ten-match winning streak earned him titles in Rio and Santiago. He capitulated against Jan-Lennard Struff in Monte Carlo after going a set up and remains to be seen what version steps on court against a refreshed Matteo Arnaldi. The Italian having benefitted from Arthur Cazaux’s retirement in their first-round encounter.
As doubts linger over Baez’s form and fitness after losing three on the trot, Arnaldi is the player to back here in their first meeting.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
