16 first round matches are scheduled on Day 2 of the ATP Mutua Madrid Open. Lots of exciting matches to look forward to for the fans including the match between Nicolas Jarry and Daniel Altmaier. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
ATP Madrid Day 2 Predictions
Mattia Bellucci vs Damir Dzumhur
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Mattia Bellucci is sitting at his career-high ranking and any match wins this week will only improve his rankings. He is playing in Madrid for the first time and will like his chances to make a winning start. Damir Dzumhur is an experienced campaigner and has been in good form recently. Dzumhur made the semifinals in Bucharest and then did well to qualify for the main draw of Barcelona Open. Both players are extremely close in rankings and I expect a tight contest.
Prediction: Dzumhur in 3
Quentin Halys vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Quentin Halys will play his first match on clay this season and has to go through a tough first-round match. Halys is not known for his game on clay but the quicker conditions in Madrid should help his big serve. However, I still like Luciano Darderi’s chances better in this match as he is the more natural on this surface and has played some fantastic tennis in the last month. If the Italian player can get into enough rallies, he will be the favourite to win.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Zizou Bergs vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-Head:
Zizou Bergs is enjoying the best season of his career and has been super consistent. He has only played 19 main draw matches on clay but his game style is well suited for the surface. Yoshihito Nishioka will play his first match on ckay this season and would be the heavy underdog going into this match. The Japanese prefers to play on hard courts and Bergs should be able to trouble him with heavy top spin. Nishioka’s serve will also be under pressure all match. All in all, I like Bergs to win this match comfortably.
Prediction: Bergs in 2
Nicolas Jarry vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Nicolas Jarry has the perfect game to exploit the conditions of the Madrid Masters, but surprisingly he has only one win here in two main draw appearances. Jarry is going through a rough patch since the French Open last year and is on a five match losing streak. However, he has shown some glimpses of better tennis recently and will look to play a solid match. Daniel Altmaier has a good record here and is a former quarterfinalist. Altmaier has done a lot of winning this year including the two wins in qualifying. If Jarry plays at his best he can win this but his form can’t be trusted.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
