Barcelona's first round has some genuinely interesting matchups this year, and we've got predictions for all three. Which of these do you think is the toughest to call?
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Predictions
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Jack Draper
Head-to-head: Etcheverry 2-0 Draper
Etcheverry owns the H2H and both of those wins came before Draper broke into the top 25, so there's a case that the Brit is a different player now. But clay is still comfortably the worst surface in Draper's game, and Barcelona's conditions don't particularly suit the kind of heavy topspin lefty game he produces best. Etcheverry, on the other hand, is exactly the type of grinder who makes life miserable on slow red clay.
This feels like a match where Draper battles hard and takes it to three, but Etcheverry's clay-court instincts and the head-to-head give him enough of an edge to get through.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-head: Nakashima 2-1 Fils
This is a genuinely tricky one. Fils has the higher clay ceiling of the two and can be absolutely devastating when he's hitting his forehand clean and attacking the net, but he's been inconsistent this season and Nakashima has proven he can handle him, including on tour-level hard courts. Clay is arguably a better surface for Fils, so this won't be straightforward, and I think it goes the distance.
Nakashima's ability to stay deep in rallies and not panic under pressure should be enough to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Valentin Vacherot vs Terence Atmane
Head-to-head: Vacherot 0-2 Atmane
Atmane holds the H2H and both wins are nothing to dismiss, but Vacherot is the higher-ranked player and arrives in Barcelona with more recent clay-court mileage. That said, Atmane is an interesting talent and clearly has something over Vacherot mentally given that record, but the ranking gap between them is real and Vacherot should be the more consistent player on the day. Hard to see the H2H not flipping here.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Debby Wong/ZUMA Press Wire