The post-Wimbledon clay court swing got under way Monday. There was much enjoyable ATP tennis on the first day on the clay courts of Gstaad, and the second day promises to be even better. Fabio Fognini is one of those in action on the second day in Switzerland. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in Gstaad in a separate article. Who do you think will progress to the next round?
ATP Gstaad Day 2 Predictions
Arthur Rinderknech vs Facundo Bagnis
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is a match between two players lacking form. Rinderknech was ranked #44 at the end of the 2022 season, but has tumbled down the rankings since to his current position of #82. Aside from a memorable first round French Open victory against compatriot and local hero Richard Gasquet, the Frenchman has had little to celebrate. The same can be said for Facundo Bagnis, ranked outside the Top 100. The Argentine has scrapped away on the Challenger circuit, but has not reached a single final. But I am going for Bagnis to cause a minor upset here. The 33 year-old is the biggest clay court specialist one can find, with all 37 of his Futures, Challenger, and ATP finals coming on the dirt. Rinderknech can hit fairly big from the baseline, but I am backing Bagnis to be able to soak up enough of that pressure, leading to the low on confidence Frenchman making many unforced errors.
Prediction: Bagnis in 3
Mikael Ymer vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Head-to-head: first meeting
The matchup between these two is very close on paper. Ymer is ranked #51, while Varillas is #66. It had been a mostly unimpressive year for Ymer before Wimbledon, but he then claimed a stunning victory against Taylor Fritz from two sets down. The 24 year-old was only a set away from reaching the fourth round but lost out to Daniel Elahi Galan. Varillas is a clay court specialist and has had a pretty average year, picking up some wins without any stand out moments. This could be a long and tough battle between two players who usually put a focus on consistency from the back of the court. It is a very hard one to call, but I will give a slight edge to Ymer. When near his best, he is extremely difficult to hit through on any surface and I think Varillas will wilt slightly quicker than his opponent.
Prediction: Ymer in 3
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Fabio Fognini vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head-to-head: Fognini 10-2 Ramos-Vinolas
This is another contest between two players who have been struggling. The mercurial but always entertaining Fognini has only managed four wins on the ATP tour all season, and has a cloud of uncertainty around him after reportedly being absent from Wimbledon as a result of missing a doping test due to choosing to watch his beloved Inter Milan in a Champions League match. It will be interesting to see if the Italian is rusty from not playing a match since his French Open loss over six weeks ago. The good news for him is he has a very dominant record against his opponent Ramos-Vinolas. In addition the Spaniard is having a wretched year himself, losing 19 of the 25 ATP matches he’s played this season. Ramos-Vinolas may feel this is the best chance he’s had to beat Fognini as he is so lacking in match practice, but I am still going with the former Monte-Carlo champion to win.
Prediction: Fognini in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
