It’s an action-packed Day 2 at the ATP ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. The big guns will grace their presence at the event including former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev, who will be playing for the first time since his shock third-round defeat at the 2023 Australian Open. As always, we here at LWOT have every match covered in our daily predictions. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Rotterdam Day 2 Predictions
Hubert Hurkacz vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: Bautista Agut 3-0 Hurkacz
Three matches into the series and Hurkacz is yet to solve the Bautista Agut riddle. Although the Pole was one tiebreak away from defeating the world #24 at last year’s United Cup. Bautista Agut fell victim to 18-year-old prodigy Arthur Fils in Montpellier this past week. How damaging could that defeat be?
We will find out here as Hurkacz plays for the first time since his five-set defeat to Korda at the Australian Open. Bautista Agut is a pesky grinder who loves to huff and puff, and makes a living with his consistency and durability. It should be another nailbiter, and this time Hurkacz’s ball-striking could get him across the finish line.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 1-0 Sonego
In last year’s tournament, the floodgates finally opened up for Felix Auger-Aliassime. He won his first ATP title in Rotterdam and embarked on a title-winning spree in the second half of 2022. His schedule was somewhat different at the start of this year given that Canada did not qualify for the United Cup. It wasn’t an ideal preparation for the Australian Open considering that he played in the ATP Cup last year and won it. But he should be expected to hit his strap in a frantic February. Sonego is no pushover under the roof. He has the firepower to make this a contest and the athleticism to win a generous number of return points. But overall, the Canadian’s talent and physique should shine.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: Medvedev 1-0 Davidovich Fokina
Daniil Medvedev is looking for a fresh start in Rotterdam. 2022 was a year to forget and he will be keen to wipe it off from his memory bank. Medvedev’s resurgence was beginning to take shape in Adelaide where he lost in the semifinal to Novak Djokovic. But he followed it up with a shock defeat at the Australian Open to Sebastian Korda. His early exit in Melbourne had huge repercussions on his ranking.
Medvedev left the Top 10 for the first time in four years. And people are starting to question whether he might have lost his aura. I think not; it’s more of a mental approach to matches and his in-game management which has been substandard. Davidovich Fokina didn’t have a great start to the indoor swing, losing in straight sets to Quentin Halys last week. But it’s a good time to play Medvedev whose confidence has taken a beating. But the Russian should be favored to get the win, albeit a tense one.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
