Stefanos Tsitsipas claimed his 3rd ATP 1000 title last week and will be looking to carry that momentum to the rest of the clay season. He’s a 3-time runner-up at ATP Barcelona (2018, 2021, 2023) as well and takes on Sebastian Ofner in his opener this year. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Barcelona Day 3 Predictions
Andrea Vavassori vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Head-to-head: First meeting
Andrea Vavassori got the lucky loser call-up after Karen Khachanov withdrew. The Italian has an interesting clay game, sometimes grinding with the slice only to serve and volley on the next shot. It’s tough to say where exactly he’d be in the singles rankings if that was his only focus (he made the Australian Open doubles final this year). Against the veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, he might have a proper chance of winning, but the consistent Spaniard is probably the favorite.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: First meeting
If his Monte Carlo performances are anything to go by, this could be a phenomenal clay-court swing for Lorenzo Musetti. Even a month ago at the Sunshine Double, the Italian was once again using his wide repertoire in a much smarter manner. The difference in creativity between him and Roberto Carballes Baena is quite something, and while Musetti is sometimes a bit ‘all style, no substance’, he really should be taking this one home if he produces a solid showing.
Prediction: Musetti in 2
Dusan Lajovic vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0
Ugo Humbert made such a massive leap on clay last year with the two Challenger 175 titles and making the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, but it didn’t come as much of a surprise. Now we’ll get to see if the in-form Frenchman can really keep going like this throughout this part of the season. Dusan Lajovic loves this surface and produced a quick win over Diego Schwartzman in the opening round, but he might struggle to respond if Humbert is on top of his game. Even on clay.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Sebastian Ofner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 2-0
Stefanos Tsitsipas is back in form with the Monte Carlo run and should be one of the main contenders for the title here. Going deep in back-to-back weeks tends to be tricky, but the Greek has done it before, with three final appearances in Barcelona over the years. Carlos Alcaraz won’t be around to stop him this time, and who knows if Rafael Nadal gets that far. Sebastian Ofner can fire up on occasion, but on clay, it’s so much tougher to put pressure on Tsitsipas with a game like that.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
