The ATP Madrid Open is traditionally a good litmus test for players looking to make a deep run at the French Open. With multiple top players out of this year’s ATP 1000 event, there are plenty of opportunities for young stars and Top 10 veterans to make a breakthrough this fortnight. LWOT previews all the second round matches, with this set of predictions featuring Andrey Rublev.
ATP Madrid Day 3 Predictions
Ben Shelton vs Dino Prizmic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shelton’s fast-paced game has started to adjust to the clay courts, as he’s gotten off to a great start on the dirt this year. The American hoisted a trophy last week at the ATP 500 event in Munich. Prizmic is a tough opponent for Shelton, as the young Croat similarly can overpower opponents. The Croat has three matches to his name this week in Madrid as a qualifier, and I could see him sneaking a set against the World No. 5. Shelton’s big serve and mental game should be enough.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: Lehecka 1-0
Since reaching an ATP 1000 final in Miami, Lehecka won two matches on clay courts and fell to Alexander Bublik in his most recent tournament in Monte Carlo. Among those two wins featured a victory over Tabilo in three sets, as Tabilo will surely look for revenge here. Tabilo is far off from his career-high ranking of No. 19, currently eyeing a jump into the Top 40. He’s gradually improved his form over the past year, but Lehecka has a bigger game from all ends of the court.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: Norrie 2-0
Norrie won the pair’s latest meeting via retirement, and defeated Machac in four sets at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. The Brit has traditionally struggled on clay courts, but he’s compiled a solid 3-2 record on the dirt this season. Meanwhile, Machac reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event in Barcelona earlier in April. Machac battled from behind against Francisco Comesana in his opening match here, and he’ll have to steady his groundstrokes against a consistent and experienced player.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Vit Kopriva
Head-to-head: First meeting
A frusturated Rublev couldn’t control his groundstrokes in a 6-2 7-6 (2) loss to Arthur Fils in the ATP 500 Barcelona finals. He’ll have to get off to a good start here against Kopriva, a young player who statistically plays his best tennis on clay. Madrid’s courts tend to play faster compared to fellow European clay court tournaments, and that could benefit the Russian and his power. Look for Rublev to reach the third round, if he can play consistent tennis early in the match.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
