ATP Montpellier, Zagreb, Vina del Mar: 2nd Round Predictions

Play has been a little slow to get underway with 1st round matches at all three of this week's tournaments still being played today including Rafael Nadal's first match against Federico Del Bonis.  He did win his doubles match yesterday with Juan Monaco, who was surprisingly defeated in his first singles match in Chile today.  Lets take a look at the best matches for Thursday...

Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet v Gael Monfils (Montpellier, R2)

Montpellier's line-up has been swamped with home talent, which lights up Thursday's schedule as Richard Gasquet takes on Gael Monfils in the top match.  Gasquet benefitted from a bye in the first round, meanwhile Monfils won his first round match last night against Ruben Bemelmens in a tight two setter, 7-5 6-4.  Monfils leads Gasquet 4-3 in the head-to-head with a win in their most recent match, which was in Barcelona nearly two years ago.  This will be a tough match for Gasquet who if he can win it, will be the favourite to take the title.  Monfils has started the year reasonably well, but I am backing the backhand to edge this one...

Prediction - Gasquet to beat Monfils in 3 sets

Andreas Seppi

Philipp Petzschner v Andreas Seppi (Zagreb, R2)

Andreas Seppi faces a difficult opening match in Zagreb as he takes on the qualifier and now father, Phillipp Petzschner.  The German player took out the wildcard Mate Pavic in the opening round.  Seppi has yet to take to the court this week, which could make him vulnerable against Petzschner who has already come through three rounds of qualifying and all in straight sets.  Petzschner did in fact win his only previous match with Seppi in Dubai back in 2011.  Seppi can be prone to the early upset, but I will stick by my champion making it into the quarter-finals.

Prediction - Seppi to beat Petzschner in 3 sets

ATP Montpellier 2nd Round Predictions:

Troicki to beat Hajek in 2 tight sets

Tipsarevic to beat Llodra in 3 sets

Benneteau to beat Hanescu in 2 easy sets

ATP Zagreb 2nd Round Predictions:

Klizan to beat Haase in 3 sets

Baghdatis to beat Kavcic in 2 tight sets

Cilic to beat Zemlja in 2 sets

Dodig to beat Karlovic in 2 tiebreak sets

Rosol to beat Cipolla in 2 sets

Melzer to beat Devvarman in 3 sets

All of my original predictions have now been updated (tabs at the top of the page) so you can see how I am doing in all three tournaments so far...