The ATP Basel action continues with another great schedule of matches on Tuesday. Seven first-round contests are on the slate, with the 2021 French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune among those in action. We at LWOT predict all the matches here and in a separate article, including Ben Shelton vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
ATP Basel Day 2 Predictions
Denis Shapovalov vs Juncheng Shang
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shapovalov is close to slipping outside the Top 100. The 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinalist probably needs a run more than Shang, who has made significant progress this year. Unfortunately for Shapovalov, this might not be the best matchup for him right now. Shang is usually incredibly solid in his matches, and the Canadian has not been comfortable or confident in extended rallies for a while.
Prediction: Shang in 2
Botic van de Zandschulp vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Van de Zandschulp 1-0 Bublik
Bublik is infamously mercurial, but his game is best suited to indoor hardcourts. Van de Zandschulp has unsurprisingly not looked the same player since his stunning victory against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. The Dutchman is not particularly suited to one surface, and Bublik’s game at its best in the conditions in Basel is slightly superior. But it is hard to know what to expect from the Kazakhstani.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Marin Cilic vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tabilo played well at the Almaty Open last week, only narrowly losing to the eventual runner-up Gabriel Diallo in the quarterfinal. Cilic has not won a match since last month’s incredible run to the Hangzhou Open title. It is possible the former US Open champion’s season could peter out somewhat after that effort, meaning Tabilo might be facing him at a good time.
Prediction: Tabilo in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tsitsipas needs an outstanding run of results in Basel and at next week’s Paris Masters to have a chance of qualifying for the ATP Finals. Cerundolo is not an easy player to get in the first round, even though indoor hardcourts do not naturally suit the Argentine’s game. It has been a difficult season for Tsitsipas, but his superior serve, in particular, might be enough to take him to victory in this matchup.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
