ATP Washington Day 3 Predictions Including Fritz v Majchrzak

Day 3 of the ATP Mubadala DC Open features four fantastic second-round matches, which promise top-tier tennis in Washington. #3 seed Taylor Fritz and #4 seed Lorenzo Musetti will headline the day. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but which players will advance to the quarterfinals?

ATP Washington Day 3 Predictions

Alex Michelsen vs Adrian Mannarino

Head-to-Head: Michelsen 2-1 Mannarino

Adrian Mannarino put up a vintage performance to upset Learner Tien in straight sets in the first round. Mannarino was cruising on serve and did not face a single break point in the match. However, it was a subpar performance from Tien, and his forehand was off. Alex Michelsen won the Bloomfield Hills Challenger last week and is off to a solid start here. I expect him to handle Mannarino’s slice serve better and win this match.

Prediction: Michelsen in 3

Rafael Jodar vs Kei Nishikori

Head-to-Head: first meeting

2015 champion Kei Nishikori played his first Tour-level match of the year and defeated Juncheng Shang in a three-set thriller. Both players had been away for a long time, and it was evident in the quality of the match. Nishikori’s serve held up better, which proved to be the difference. Rafael Jodar has multiple weapons, and Nishikori is not in the form or shape required to make this competitive.

Prediction: Jodar in 2

Lorenzo Musetti vs Aleksandar Vukic

Head-to-Head: Musetti 1-0 Vukic

Lorenzo Musetti’s comeback after over two months looked positive as he defeated his compatriot Matteo Arnaldi. Even though Arnaldi was not 100% and had to retire in the second set, Musetti’s level looked super impressive, and he will hope to be injury-free and peak at the US Open. Aleksandar Vukic has not lost more than three games in a set in his three matches (including qualifying) so far and is serving brilliantly. Musetti is a good returner, but he was out for a long time and could struggle with his timing. I expect a very close match, but the Italian should eventually win.

Prediction: Musetti in 3

Taylor Fritz vs Kamil Majchrzak

Head-to-Head: Fritz 1-0 Majchrzak

It has not been a great start for the home players so far, but Taylor Fritz is comfortably through to the second round. He was not required to bring his top game as his opponent, Zizou Bergs, struggled to return second serves and never threatened the American. I expect Fritz to improve his level against a tougher opponent like Kamil Majchrzak, who defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets and will be full of confidence heading into this match. Majchrzak won 71% of his second-serve points against Paul, and I don’t see that happening against Fritz.

Prediction: Fritz in 2

Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images