First-round action at the ATP Geneva Open concludes on Tuesday. A couple of the last 16 matches will also take center stage, with fourth seed Ben Shelton among those to headline the Order of Play. Who do you think will progress?
ATP Geneva Day 3 Predictions
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-head: Michelsen 1-0 Kovacevic
When these two last played at the 2023 Chicago Challenger, Alex Michelsen dropped just six games. The 19-year-old’s results at this year’s clay swing have been somewhat mystifying. His level has been fluctuating between good and bad and he is extremely inconsistent. Kovacevic has not fared any better, but with two wins under his belt from a difficult qualifying draw, he looks poised to extend Michelsen’s poor record on clay.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Christopher Eubanks
Head-to-head: Griekspoor 1-0 Eubanks
Time is running out for Christopher Eubanks to qualify for the Olympics. Although he will likely finish in the Top 56 of the rankings, which is the cut-off mark for entry into the Olympic tennis tournament, he will miss out if he is not among the four best-ranked American men on tour by June 9. Recent forms suggest he won’t be on the flight to Paris in late July. He’s lost five in a row. It is a well-known fact clay is his least favorite surface. In the time Eubanks failed to win a match, Griekspoor produced commendable performances, beating Holger Rune in Madrid and stealing sets from the likes of Alex de Minaur and Jannik Sinner. It’s unlikely the American will end his barren run in Geneva against a confident opponent.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: first meeting
Shelton was upset by Zhizhen Zhang in the second round in Rome. However, he had a highly successful doubles campaign, reaching the semifinal while playing alongside Alexander Bublik. This could still prove a fruitful swing for the American lefty, who has much to gain in terms of points. Flavio Cobolli, meanwhile, is enjoying a breakthrough season at the top tier of men’s tennis. Granted, the spotlight has shone on his more accomplished countrymen, but Cobolli will soon become a household name in Italian tennis if he continues to play to his strengths. Shelton is slowly but surely mastering the art of clay-court tennis. And with a title from Houston to boot, he’s probably a slight favorite here.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
