Day 3 of the ATP Metz event, the Moselle Open, will feature three fascinating second-round matchups, two of which are featured in this article. A number of French players are set to take to the court, and will no doubt be hoping to leverage the crowd’s support. As always, we at LWOT will provide predictions for each match on the slate for day three. But who will advance?
ATP Metz Day 3 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Roberto Bautista Agut has come alive in the final weeks of this season and will be eyeing another trophy this week. The Spaniard is hitting his forehand extremely well, which complements his solid backhand perfectly. Benjamin Bonzi has been on a tear at the Challenger Tour recently, winning two and making the final of another before this week. He qualified for the main draw here without any hiccups and should be full of confidence heading into this match. However, Bautista Agut will be a step up in level, and Bonzi’s ability to handle it is uncertain. The Frenchman has a good record on indoor courts but the Spaniard is too solid from the baseline to let this one slip.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
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Jan-Lennard Struff vs Corentin Moutet
Head-to-Head: Moutet 1-0 Struff
Jan-Lennard Struff looked down and out in his first-round match against Alexander Shevchenko, as he was trailing a set and a break but turned it around and played a good third set. Both players played an inconsistent match, with errors flying left, right, and centre. Struff hit 50 unforced errors and Moutet won’t spare him if that happens again. The Frenchman is not in great form but he always turns up when playing on his home soil. This match may go either way, but I’ll side with the local player. Should be an entertaining watch.
Prediction: Moutet in 3
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Richard Gasquet vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Richard Gasquet reached the final of this tournament 20 years ago and is still exciting the crowd with his stylish brand of tennis – even if he is hardly the force he once was. The Frenchman won his fourth tour-level match of the year and first since the French Open, defeating Thiago Monteiro in a thrilling contest. Every match win is a bonus for Gasquet and the fans seeing him play. But it is hard to see him beating Alex Michelsen at this stage of his career. Fundamentally, Michelsen is a solid player and is in much better shape and form than the Frenchman.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Main photo credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
