All the remaining first-round matches will be played on Day 2 at the ATP Almaty Open. This article features former champion, Adrian Mannarino who will battle against Roman Safiullin. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 2–with three matches in a separate article. But who will advance to the second round?
ATP Almaty Day 2 Predictions
Benjamin Hassan vs Beibit Zhukayev
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Benjamin Hassan played two brilliant matches to qualify for his first ATP main draw of the year. Hassan plays most of his tennis on the Challenger Tour and has yet to win a tour-level match on hard courts. But his serve is a weapon on these fast courts as he showed in the qualifying matches. Beibit Zhukayev’s serve is quite a weapon too and playing on his home soil should give him extra confidence. Zhukayev played a solid match against Roman Safiullin in Shanghai last week and if he can replicate a similar level, he can win this.
Prediction: Zhukayev in 3
Christopher O’Connell vs Gabriel Diallo
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Christopher O’Connell lost a very close match to Matteo Berrettini in Shanghai and will look to get back to winning ways. The Australian plays his best tennis on hard courts and these fast indoor courts should help him even further. Gabriel Diallo has been in good form on hard courts in the last two months. He has a lot of wins under his belt in all competitions and the confidence must be high to perform well this week. Diallo has a massive serve and will target the Australian’s backhand as much as possible. I can sense a tiebreak or two in this match and the player with better composure should win.
Prediction: Diallo in 3
Taro Daniel vs Daniel Evans
Head-to-Head: Daniel 0-1 Evans
Taro Daniel is going through one of his worst seasons and will look to finish strongly. He hasn’t won consecutive main draw matches since January. Daniel Evans has come through qualifying and will know the conditions slightly better. Evans is looking to get back inside the top 100 and this could be an important week for him. Evans’ wonderful slice is effective on these quick altitude conditions and should help him win against an out-of-form Daniel.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-Head: Mannarino 2-0 Safiullin
These two have met two times on indoor hard courts and Mannarino has got the better of Safiullin on both occasions. However, the Frenchman is in the worst form of his career and hasn’t won many matches recently. Mannarino is the defending champion and was on fire on indoor courts last year but this is the best opportunity for Safiullin to beat Mannarino. Safiullin displayed some great tennis in Shanghai and should like the fast conditions of the Almaty Open.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
