A countrywide power outage caused the suspension of play on Tuesday evening at the ATP 250 in Santiago. The remaining first-round matches will be concluded on Wednesday and have been covered in our daily predictions. Some of those who booked their places in the last 16 will be in action too. On that note, we predict only the second-round matches in this article. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Santiago Day 3 Predictions
Pedro Martinez vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: Djere 3-0 Martinez
Since beating Diego Schwartzman in his retirement match in Buenos Aires, Pedro Martinez has yet to win a match. He got a walkover in his quarterfinal in that tournament and then lost his next two matches including at the Rio Open this past week. But Santiago tends to bring the best out of Martinez. He won his one and only ATP title at this event and was a semifinalist last year. That said, his task is somewhat complicated here. Laslo Djere has won all three head-to-head meetings and didn’t flinch in getting past Ignacio Buse in his opener. If the Serbian plays to his strengths, he’s the likelier to emerge on top again.
Prediction: Djere in 3
Cristian Garin vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: Etcheverry 1-0 Garin
Since lifting the trophy at the 2021 edition of this tournament, Garin has had a spotty record in Santiago. He’s failed to make it to the quarterfinals in each of the last three years and was beaten by Barrios Vera in the first round 12 months ago. While his resilience was admirable in a comeback win against Juan Pablo Ficovich, it does little to tilt the odds in his favor against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentinian controls the ball more effectively on clay and looked in supreme form in dispatching Hugo Gaston in straight sets.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Gustavo Heide vs Jaime Faria
Head-to-head: Faria 2-0 Heide
Jaime Faria upset Luciano Darderi to pick up from where he left off in Rio. That quarterfinal run as a lucky loser in Brazil helped him crack the Top 100. In truth, this is developing into a breakout season for Faria on the ATP Tour after his inspired cameo at the Australian Open (he took a set from Djokovic). Gustavo Heide is still relatively inconsistent at this level, but his quality on clay is undeniable. Still, based on form, Faria should maintain his perfect record in this matchup.
Prediction: Faria in 2
Francisco Cerundolo vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 4-1 Hanfmann
To say Yannick Hanfmann is a threat on clay at altitude is an understatement. This week sums up what he’s capable of doing in these conditions. Getting past Diaz Acosta in straight sets was quite a statement to set up a meeting against Francisco Cerundolo. The top seed will be playing for the first time since his quarterfinal exit in Rio. Hanfmann’s massive kick serve and groundstrokes which are loaded with spin and power could make things tricky for the Argentinian.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
