It’s certainly been a tournament to remember. Before the first shot was even played, there were a host of high-profile withdrawals, and that seems to have spiralled into the main event. It has added to the spectacle and means that each match has had a little bit of uncertainty. As always, we continue to offer our insights as ATP Madrid progresses. But who will advance?
ATP Madrid Day 5 Predictions
Arthur Rinderknech vs Vit Kopriva
Head-to-head: Rinderknech 1- 0 Kopriva
This is one of those matches where you can make a strong case for either player. Kopriva is certainly is the one who spends more time on clay and will be liking his chances against the Frenchman. He’s also enjoyed a morale-boosting win against Andrey Rublev in his previous match. Rinderknech will have to serve well if he is to win this one, as once the point starts, Kopriva will ask him a lot of questions. He has beaten him before, but that was a long time ago now, and it looks like Kopriva comes into this match with more pep in his step.
Prediction: Kopriva in 2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Dino Prizmic
Head-to-head: first meeting
This one has the makings of a high-quality, intense battle between two players who feel right at home on the surface and love to grind. Prizmic comes into this on the back of a really impressive win against Ben Shelton, while Etcheverry enjoyed a routine win. This could be the standout match of all the matches in this segment, with frequent exchanges of momentum, likely to define the match. I have a feeling the Argentine manages to just about nip this one in what should be a really tight affair.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Jiri Lehecka vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-head: Michelsen 1-0 Lehecka
It’s not been a good tournament for American men so far, with many of the top seeds already crashing out. It might not get any better here. There is some encouragement, though, for Michelsen as he won their only previous meeting at the US Open two years ago. There is, however, no escaping the fact that the Czech is the superior player and that the faster clay courts of Madrid should suit his game nicely. Michelsen should put up a good fight as he generally tends to do, but it’s hard to look past the sheer quality of Lehecka.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Elmer Moller
Head-to-head: first meeting
Moller has certainly enjoyed his time at ATP Madrid so far. For the first time this year, he has enjoyed a nice little run of wins, having come through qualifying and two main-draw matches. However, it seems almost certain that the run ends now.
He faces Jannik Sinner, who surprisingly had to come through a bit of a test in his first match here, coming back from a set down to triumph. He is a man who knows there are lots of prizes to be won in the coming weeks, with his greatest rival, Alcaraz, out with injury. Therefore, matches like this need to be decided quickly to preserve himself as much as possible. The gulf in class certainly makes it doable for the Italian. I anticipate a rapid dismissal of the Dane.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – Imagn Images