Day 2 at the ATP Kitzbuhel Open features lots of exciting first-round matches. The Austrian star, Dominic Thiem, and Matteo Berrettini will headline the day. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 2–including half the matches in a separate article. But who will advance to the next round?
ATP Kitzbuhel Day 2 Predictions
Marton Fucsovics vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-Head: First meeting
It has been a successful year so far for Marton Fucsovics as he won his second ATP title in the clay courts of Bucharest. Fucsovics is playing the Kitxbuhel Open for the second time in his career as he looks for some match practice before the Olympics. Roberto Carballes Baena won a Challenger on clay earlier this month and then reached the quarterfinals in Bastad. He is in good form and plays his best tennis on clay. It will be a close match but, the faster conditions in Kitzbuhel will suit Fucsovics more.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Thiago Agustin Tirante
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Dominic Thiem is on his farewell tour and playing in front of his local crowd in Kitzbuhel will be an emotional moment. Thiem has lost his last five tour-level matches and will hope to string some wins and make a deep run. He is a former champion of the Kitzbuhel Open and is well aware of the conditions. Thiago Agustin Tirante is coming off the best week of his career in Bastad as he made his first semifinal on the ATP Tour. He beat Andrey Rublev en route and will be super confident heading into this match. Thiem will put up a strong fight but Tirante is the favourite for me considering the form of both players.
Prediction: Tirante in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Pavel Kotov
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Matteo Berrettini won the title in Gstaad last week without dropping a set. His serve and forehand are deadly and he is getting back to his best level with every match win. Berrettini loves playing in altitude and should be one of the favourites to win the Kitzbuhel Open title. Pavel Kotov is a tricky player and plays with lots of variety and power. Kotov’s best result in his career has come on clay and he will enjoy the fast conditions. But, Berrettini’s aggressive game will be too hot to handle for Kotov and he will find it hard to break the Italian’s serve.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
