First-round motion on 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 additionally taking the courtroom.
Fabian Marozsan vs. Ethan Quinn
It might be a rematch of a wild Davis Cup encounter from earlier this yr when Quinn and Marozsan meet once more in spherical one of many Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday afternoon. In February, Quinn saved 4 match factors on the street in Hungary earlier than beating Marozsan 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(11) to assist the United States advance.
It could also be tough for Marozsan to erase these demons, plus he merely isn’t in nice type for the time being. He has not defeated anybody within the prime 50 since Doha in mid-February (Quinn, for reference, is ranked forty eighth). Meanwhile, Quinn gained the Phoenix Challenger, superior to the Miami third spherical, and reached the Barcelona second spherical as a qualifier. The 22-year-old’s forehand ought to so some critical injury within the excessive altitude of Madrid, so he appears poised to proceed his fantastic type.
Pick: Quinn in 3
Terence Atmane vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Kecmanovic trounced Atmane 6-3, 6-3 of their solely earlier encounter simply a few months in the past in Acapulco, however there are causes to love Atmane’s probabilities of turning the tide. First and foremost, the Frenchman has heated up since that consequence. He made a fourth-round run in Miami and had two match factors in opposition to eventual champion Arthur Fils in Barcelona. Although each guys are all-court gamers, a transfer from arduous courts to clay might additionally assist Atmane. After all, Kecmanovic is simply 11-16 on the gradual stuff relationship again to the beginning of 2024. The Serb is a dreadful 2-5 lifetime in Madrid, with 4 of his losses coming in straight units.
Recent outcomes don’t encourage a lot confidence for Kecmanovic. In reality, since beating Atmane in Acapulco the world No. 65 has not gained a single match on the principle tour by something aside from retirement. He is on an general four-match shedding streak heading into Madrid. This is a first-rate alternative for Atmane to tug off a minor upset.
Pick: Atmane in 3
