Eight matches are scheduled on the second day of the ATP Stuttgart Open on what should be an entertaining day of tennis in Germany. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Learner Tien vs Yoshihito Nishioka. But who will advance?
ATP Stuttgart Day 2 Predictions
Denis Shapovalov vs Arthur Rinderknech
Head-to-head: Shapovalov 2-1 Rinderknech
This year’s clay swing was a disaster for Denis Shapovalov. His return of two wins from five tournaments was his lowest since 2019. The Canadian sustained an unspecified injury in Munich, but it wasn’t the sole reason for his underperformance. Arthur Rinderknech is a big hitter who can deploy a serve-and-volley style when he needs to, but Shapovalov should be expected to bounce back on grass, where he doesn’t need to overthink his point construction.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 2
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Quentin Halys vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0 Halys
Lorenzo Sonego defeated Quentin Halys in their only previous ATP meeting on German soil. That was on the Munich clay, and it went the full distance. The Italian is the complete competitor between the two and sits two spots above his opponent in the rankings, but Halys has that effortless power, which is valuable on grass. The Frenchman can keep this on his terms if he puts up a serving masterclass.
Prediction: Halys in 3
Justin Engel vs James Duckworth
Head-to-head: first meeting
Justin Engel is the youngest player in this year’s draw. He doesn’t have any experience competing on grass at the top level and prefers to play on clay, where he swept four ITF titles last year. But you don’t see many 17-year-olds ranked in the world’s top 300. James Duckworth came through qualifying, saving a couple of match points against Basilashvili. The Aussie’s game suits this surface exceptionally well and is so smart at improvising. Experience should win over youth in this one.
Prediction: Duckworth in 2
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Alex Michelsen vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players are coming off early exits in Paris. But the most surprising was Alex Michelsen’s first-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo. At 38, the surface will matter more for Gael Monfils with Quicker points and lower bounces possibly working in his favour at the ATP Stuttgart Open. It doesn’t have to be physical, and the Frenchman’s explosiveness and fluid shotmaking give him a tiny edge over the big-hitting American.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
