Some of the first-round action at the 2023 Umag Open will see Stan Wawrinka take on Filip Misolic and Albert Ramos Vinolas play Jaume Munar. Get the latest predictions along with the odds, preview and head-to-head for these matches along with Matteo Arnaldi v Jesper De Jong and Christopher O’Connell v Zsombor Piros.
Stan Wawrinka v Filip Misolic Preview
Head-to-Head: Stan Wawrinka and Filip Misolic have not played each other on the ATP Tour or Challenger Tour.
Stan Wawrinka is set to extend his stay on clay for a further one week as the 2006 Umag champion returns to the scene of his very first ATP title. Last week, the three-time Grand Slam winner went down in straight sets to Jaume Munar on home soil in Gstaad.
While the Swiss still possesses the heavy weaponry to blast away past opponents on clay, playing back-to-back matches is becoming increasingly difficult at his age and for his surgically repaired knee. There was rather a subdued performance in that second set against Munar and Filip Misolic might sense some vulnerability.
The Austrian managed to return to the winner’s column on Tour level, winning a couple of main draw matches in Bastad. With so many points to defend in Kitzbuhel, he knows he needs to pick up some big scalps to not lose ground on his ATP ranking.
Misolic has come through qualifying here pretty convincingly, and he’s got the defense to force Wawrinka to overhit.
Wawrinka v Misolic Tip
Misolic to win a set: 8/15
Albert Ramos Vinolas v Jaume Munar Preview
Head-to-Head: Albert Ramos Vinolas leads Jaume Munar 4-1 in their head-to-head. But the two Spaniards have not crossed paths since 2020.
We have a meeting between two Spaniards who, naturally, love the clay. Ramos Vinolas found some form out of nowhere this past week, finishing runner-up in Gstaad.
At 35, there were moments in the final against Pedro Cachin, when it looked like his body was giving up on him, but credit to the veteran for fighting his way in that third and nearly bagging his fifth ATP title.
It’s always a good idea to completely avoid backing players who are just from competing in a final the week prior. Such is the case here. Jaume Munar will be fresh as a daisy and no wonder the bookies are not paying too much attention to that lopsided head-to-head record. And the younger of the two Spaniards is rightly the favorite.
Ramos Vinolas v Munar Tip
Munar to win: 8/15
Matteo Arnaldi v Jesper De Jong Preview
Head-to-Head: Matteo Arnaldi and Jesper De Jong are tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head playing both matches in 2022. De Jong won their meeting on clay at the Rome Challenger in three sets.
Both Matteo Arnaldi and Jesper De Jong made their living on the Challenger circuit in the last few seasons, but it is the 22-year-old who has made a quick jump into the main tour, seeing a lot more tennis in the big tournaments and cracked the world’s top 100 not too long.
De Jong is also making progress, albeit slow and steady, making the deep end in a few Challenger tournaments this year, including the Rome Challenger where he made the final
The World No. 180 has had to qualify for Umag two decent clay courters to get here. But the fast-improving Italian is clearly a step ahead of the Dutchman and vastly superior from their clash on clay over 12 months ago
Arnaldi v De Jong Tip
Arnaldi to win: 2/5
Christopher O’Connell v Zsombor Piros Preview
Head-to-Head: Christopher O’Connell leads the head-to-head 2-1 with both matches taking place at the Challenger Tour. Piros, however, won their last clash this year in the semifinals at the Split Challenger.
This could get extremely interesting. O’Connell leads the head-to-head 2-1, but was soundly beaten by Piros in their clash in Split earlier this year. Piros went on to win the first of his two titles this year.
The pair are set to lock horns in the main draw on the ATP Tour for the first time, and it is on the confines of the strongest surface for Piros who will be keen to bounce back from last week’s disappointing showing in Tampere.
Piros can easily dominate O’Connell with his serve and +1 forehand, but a wise decision to take the games here.
O’Connell v Piros Tip
Over 21.5 games in the match: 4/6
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The 2023 Umag Open will be played from July 24 to 30. Get our ultimate guide on tennis betting and predictions here.
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