The ATP Rotterdam Open is one of the world’s most prestigious indoor tournaments, and as usual the draw is stacked with a number of brilliant players. Day one kicks off with four matches on the slate and all promise plenty of entertaining tennis. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all four matches, as well as the WTA action in Cluj-Napoca, but who will advance?
ATP Rotterdam Day 1 Predictions
Mattia Bellucci vs Mees Rottgering
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Mattia Bellucci was on fire in the qualifying rounds and won both matches without facing a single break point nevermind losing a set. Bellucci is up against a 17-year-old wild card from the Netherlands who is playing his first-ever tour-level match. It will be a great experience for Mees Rottgering to play a tour-level match on home soil in front a big crows but it is hard to seem him winning more than a handful of game. The Italian player should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Bellucci in 2
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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Harold Mayot
Head-to-head: first meeting
Stefanos Tsitsipas was awarded a wild card for the main draw of the ATP Rotterdam Open as a late entrant, but it is not entirely suprising that he was keen to play in Rotterdam. He has a good record in this tournament as a former finalist here, and will doubtless be look to making a deep run this week after a difficult start to the season. Harold Mayot started his week in the qualifying and has shown a solid baseline game so far this weeek. However, he does not have a particularly impresive serve, which may be costly against a player with Tsitsipas’ quality. The Greek is not known for his indoor tennis but the slower court in Rotterdam should suit his game.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 2-0 Cobolli
Hubert Hurkacz has lost four consecutive second-round matches at the ATP Rotterdam Open and will likely be desperate to make it past the second round this time. Hurkacz’s game is not as well suited to these relatively slow courts as it is to other indoor surfaces. However, he still has a significantedge over Flavio Cobolli thanks to his serve and good hands. It may well be close, but make Hurkacz the favourite.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: Medvedev 2-2 Wawrinka
Rotterdam has been a happy hunting ground for both of these players. Daniil Medvedev won the tournament in 2023 while Stan Wawrinka lifted the trophy in 2019. Neither player is in the best form of their life but Medvedev is still a much better player currently and should be looking to get his form back on track. Wawrinka can play a great match even at this late stage of his career but Medvedev’s ability to absorb and redirect power, as well as his consistency from the baseline should frustrate the Swiss and force him into taking lower-percentage options.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
