Day 3 at the ATP Winston-Salem Open is packed with entertaining matches all day. The second-round matches are so close that fans will have a blast. The defending champion, Sebastian Baez is in action against Borna Coric. As always, We here at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
ATP Winston-Salem Day 3 Predictions
Alexandre Muller vs Pavel Kotov
Head-to-Head: Muller 1-1 Kotov
After a shocking first-round loss in the Challenger tour last week, Alexandre Muller bounced back nicely to win his opening match here. Hard court is not Muller’s best surface but his only quarterfinal appearance at the tour level this year has come on this surface. Pavel Kotov has completely gone off the boil since the French Open. Kotov has lost six matches in a row, five of which were on his favorite surface. As this is his first hard-court match since March, it’s difficult to predict how reliable he would be.
Prediction: Muller in 3
Alex Michelsen vs Marton Fucsovics
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Alex Michelsen has achieved a new career high ranking and is very close to entering the top 50. Michelsen has been quite consistent recently and has many matches under his belt. He played in the doubles final in Cincinnati on Monday, so he may be tired heading into this match. Marton Fucsovics had a tricky match against Taro Daniel in the first round but dealt with it brilliantly after going down a set. Michelsen has been the better player recently but Fucsovics will make this physical and try to tire out the American player.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
Luciano Darderi vs David Goffin
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Luciano Darderi had a strange retirement last week in Cincinnati against his compatriot, Flavio Cobolli. Darderi got his first main draw win on hard courts and was playing at a high level. Assuming he is not injured, he has a great chance to make a deep run this week. David Goffin has played a lot of matches on hard courts recently but hasn’t looked close to his best. However, this is his favourite surface and on his day he can trouble anyone. This should be an exciting contest but I expect Darderi to be more solid from the baseline.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Sebastian Baez vs Borna Coric
Head-to-Head: Baez 2-0 Coric
Sebastian Baez had a great run at the Winston-Salem Open last year, which helped him to win his first title on hard courts. Baez has a 5-6 win-loss record on this surface this year and has won consecutive matches just once. Borna Coric has had a terrible season so far but he did play a clean match against Sumit Nagal in the first round. Coric served brilliantly, winning 89% of the points behind his first serve. Baez has surprisingly won both their matches, which came during this time last year. Coric will look for revenge and I think he will get it.
Prediction: Coric in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
