Second-round matches will begin on Day 3 at the ATP BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm, Sweden. However, a few first-round matches remain to be played, and this article features one of them. Stan Wawrinka will take on Brandon Nakashima in a fascinating day of tennis in Stockholm. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate, split between this and a separate article. But who will advance to the next round?
ATP Stockholm Day 3 Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs Jacob Fearnley
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Last year’s quarterfinalist, Tallon Griekspoor, will take on the in-form Jacob Fearnley in the second round. Griekspoor has been unlucky with draws all year and was super close to beating Alexander Zverev in Shanghai. Fearnley is going to be a tough prospect but if Griekspoor can play like he did in the first round against Pavel Kotov, he will be the favourite to win another quarterfinal. Fearnley is prone to double faults and Griekspoor will take maximum advantage if it happens too often.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Dominic Stricker
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Matteo Berrettini was flawless in the first round against Luciano Darderi. It’s never easy to play against your compatriot but Berrettini did just fine. Berrettini didn’t have a successful Asian Swing but he has no points to defend for the rest of the year and will look to win as many matches as possible and push for a top-30 finish. Dominic Stricker served 16 aces in his three-set win over Aleksandar Kovacevic. It was Stricker’s second tour-level win of the year but unfortunately, Berrettini might prove to be too strong for him on big points.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Tommy Paul vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-Head: Paul 1-0 Djere
Tommy Paul has been brilliant this year but couldn’t produce his best tennis at the Asian Swing. Paul came up just short against a peaking Tomas Machac in his last two tournaments but this week, there is no Machac in Stockholm and Paul will look for a deep run. The American player is a former champion of this event and is well used to the quick conditions. Laslo Djere had a dominant performance in the first round and is last year’s semifinalist but Paul is a significant step up in the level.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Stan Wawrinka vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-Head: Wawrinka 2-0 Nakashima
Stan Wawrinka is a wild card this week and will look to build upon his performance in Shanghai. Wawrinka got his first Top 50 win of the year last week and played another solid match against Flavio Cobolli. His serve was exceptional and more of the same will help him against Brandon Nakashima. The American player has displayed great consistency all year and has beaten multiple top-15 players. But he has never beaten Wawrinka, even though the two matches were very close. Wawrinka might be able to stay with Nakashima for a set and a half but the American has the advantage if the match goes long.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
