World #1 Daniil Medvedev is in action for the first time since June when he takes to the court on Wednesday. The reigning US Open champion is the clear favourite here in Los Cabos. He missed Wimbledon due to the controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes imposed by the tournament’s organisers. As such, the US Open later this year is his last chance in 2022 to add to his Grand Slam collection. He will surely like his chances, but how much momentum can he build on the American hard court swing he loves so much? We start to answer that question in this set of ATP Los Cabos day 3 predictions. Be sure to keep an eye out for the second set of predictions covering the other four matches taking place on Wednesday!
ATP Los Cabos Day 3 Predictions
Cameron Norrie vs Chun-Hsin Tseng
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is probably the pick of the matches from this set. Chun-Hsin Tseng was an incredibly promising junior who is now finding his feet at the top level in men’s tennis. He faces Cameron Norrie, the British #1 and world #12. On paper that looks one-sided. However, there is very little to separate the players ranked 11 to 100 and it is often who turns up on the day who emerges the victor. Norrie is notorious for his immense competitive spirit and willingness to fight through poor performances and win anyway. That dogged determination will likely see him through here, though I suspect Tseng will push him hard.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Max Purcell vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: First meeting
Max Purcell did very well to come through a tough test in his first round match. His reward is an even tougher test here in the form of Brandon Nakashima. The American has a great a hard court game and a powerful forehand that is a real weapon when firing. He’s already shown he has the game to mix it with the best players on the ATP Tour and unfortunately Max Purcell does not fall in to that category. This screams of a straightforward win for the American and that’s the call I’m going with as well.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2
Facundo Bagnis vs Ricardas Berankis
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ricardas Berankis showed once again that he is a very good hard court player when he dispatched Quentin Halys in straight sets in the first round. The Lithuanian is now set up nicely to make a deep run here thanks to that victory. He is certainly the favourite here with Facundo Bagnis being largely a clay court specialist. The Argentinian did well to win his first round match comfortably, but faces a much higher calibre of opponent here. Berankis is more solid and powerful off both wings and his flatter groundstrokes should prove useful in these conditions. Expect him to move on to the quarterfinals in Los Cabos when this one is said and done.
Prediction: Berankis in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: First meeting
I’m not going to mess about and reach for reasons Hijikata might win this. His only hope is that extended time off leaves Medvedev flat and off the pace for long enough that the Aussie somehow sneaks two sets past him. Highly unlikely from a world number one famous for his dogged determination and commitment to every point. Medvedev is a brick wall even when his offensive game isn’t firing and Hijikata simply doesn’t have the tools necessary to dismantle that wall. This should be a nice and easy win for the world #1 as he eases back into competitive tennis.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
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