Time to wrap up the first round of the 2024 ATP Tiriac Open in Bucharest, Romania. Carlos Taberner and Pedro Martinez will take on each other for the 14th time, while Aleksandar Kovacevic plays Radu Albot in hopes of grabbing the first European clay win of his career. We also predict the day’s other matches in a separate article. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?
ATP Bucharest Day 2 Predictions
Carlos Taberner vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: Martinez 11-2
Now that’s a huge head-to-head record between the two Spaniards and it’s also extremely lop-sided. Since 2014 Pedro Martinez has only lost to Carlos Taberner twice across 13 meetings and the latter of these wins came in 2017. Other than the quality gap that exists between the two players, one is just a grinder while the other has so much more to offer in terms of aggressive ball-striking. Martinez is in very strong form too and Taberner turning around this head-to-head likely isn’t going to start on Tuesday.
Prediction: Martinez in 3
Corentin Moutet vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Moutet 1-0
Denis Shapovalov is getting back to form, but we’ll see if his clay-court swing will be the best moment for him to show that. Players like Corentin Moutet are often pretty tough for him, unless he simply overwhelms them with his weaponry. Otherwise they avoid giving him any baseline rhythm and just watch the errors flow. It’s a big test for Shapovalov’s patience and point construction, which have never been some of his biggest assets.
Prediction: Moutet in 3
Radu Albot vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Aleksandar Kovacevic is yet to win a red clay match in his career (not counting Houston, which is colored red but still the synthetic har-tru court). Radu Albot might not be known for his prowess on this surface either, but making the final in Girona recently has granted him a ton of momentum. The Moldovan also qualified here and while he hasn’t faced any very strong opposition, his chances to grind down Kovacevic on European clay still seem pretty high.
Prediction: Albot in 3
David Goffin vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: Goffin 1-0
David Goffin has likely done enough to make the main draw at Roland Garros, but it’s not like the Belgian is close to getting his peak form back. His early timing can still be extremely dangerous on occasion and it’s important not to underestimate how strong his peak level still is. But these days he just has too many error-filled performances that likely won’t cut it against someone as solid as Miomir Kecmanovic.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
