First-round action at the Madrid Masters wraps up on Thursday, when Ethan Quinn and Fabian Marozsan collide for the second time this season. Miomir Kecmanovic and Terence Atmane are also taking the court.
Fabian Marozsan vs. Ethan Quinn
It will be a rematch of a wild Davis Cup encounter from earlier this year when Quinn and Marozsan meet again in round one of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday afternoon. In February, Quinn saved four match points on the road in Hungary before beating Marozsan 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(11) to help the United States advance.
It may be difficult for Marozsan to erase those demons, plus he simply is not in great form at the moment. He has not defeated anyone in the top 50 since Doha in mid-February (Quinn, for reference, is ranked 48th). Meanwhile, Quinn won the Phoenix Challenger, advanced to the Miami third round, and reached the Barcelona second round as a qualifier. The 22-year-old’s forehand should so some serious damage in the high altitude of Madrid, so he looks poised to continue his fine form.
Pick: Quinn in 3
Terence Atmane vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Kecmanovic trounced Atmane 6-3, 6-3 in their only previous encounter just a couple of months ago in Acapulco, but there are reasons to like Atmane’s chances of turning the tide. First and foremost, the Frenchman has heated up since that result. He made a fourth-round run in Miami and had two match points against eventual champion Arthur Fils in Barcelona. Although both guys are all-court players, a move from hard courts to clay could also help Atmane. After all, Kecmanovic is just 11-16 on the slow stuff dating back to the start of 2024. The Serb is a dreadful 2-5 lifetime in Madrid, with four of his losses coming in straight sets.
Recent results do not inspire much confidence for Kecmanovic. In fact, since beating Atmane in Acapulco the world No. 65 has not won a single match on the main tour by anything other than retirement. He is on an overall four-match losing streak heading into Madrid. This is a prime opportunity for Atmane to pull off a minor upset.
Pick: Atmane in 3