There are six matches scheduled for Day 3 at the ATP Lyon Open. Four of these are Round of 32 clashes, while the remaining pair are from the Round of 16. Home favourite and veteran Gael Monfils’ opening contest of the tournament is one of three predicted in this article. We at LWOT predict the other three matches in Lyon in a separate article, including Alexander Bublik vs Aleksandar Vukic. Which players do you think will win?
ATP Lyon Day 3 Predictions
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Seyboth Wild’s best results throughout his career have come on clay and he is very dangerous when his game is flowing on the dirt. However, Martinez has enjoyed a much better clay-court season so far. He was the finalist in Estoril last month and at the Challenger 175 event in Bordeaux last week. The Spaniard is always incredibly solid and consistent in every match he plays. That means Seyboth Wild will need to be focused and make very few mistakes during this match. Unfortunately, those are not his biggest strengths.
Prediction: Martinez in 2
Pavel Kotov vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: Muller 1-0 Gasquet
Muller’s opening round match against French stalwart Richard Gasquet was a high-quality affair. Yet, he still managed to come through in straight sets. It seemed like the 27-year-old was still riding the momentum from his run to the fourth-round at the Italian Open. Kotov also played well in his first-round victory in Lyon. Muller will need to withstand some powerful hitting to claim another victory. In his current form, and with a home crowd, he has a great chance of doing that.
Prediction: Muller in 3
Gael Monfils vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Nishioka 2-0 Monfils
These two played at this event three years ago, with Nishioka narrowly prevailing 4-6 6-3 7-6. This is now an even more difficult matchup for 37-year-old Monfils. The former French Open semifinalist has spoken about how he now finds it more difficult to play on clay and recover from matches on the dirt at this stage of his career. That makes Nishioka a difficult matchup, whose game is based around being solid and extending the rallies. Monfils will undoubtedly fight hard in front of his home fans. Ultimately, there is a good chance he will come up just short.
Prediction: Nishioka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
