Day 3 at the ATP 500 event in Rio de Janeiro will feature the beginning of round of 16, with four matches including an all-Argentine derby and the #2 player in the world (and #1 seed of this tournament) Alexander Zverev. It should be a day packed with high quality tennis and long, exciting matches.

ATP Rio de Janeiro Day 3 Predictions

Francisco Comesana vs Nicolas Jarry

Head-to-head: first meeting

Jarry has been struggling ever since his great Rome run last year, but he seems to have quite a kind draw to reach the quarterfinals here. Comesana has also been struggling to win matches himself and didn’t look impressive in his first round here. Under normal circumstances, Jarry should be the one advancing to the quarterfinals here.

Prediction: Jarry in 2

Thiago Monteiro vs Chun-Hsin Tseng

Head-to-head: Monteiro 1-0 Tseng

Monteiro’s best days seem to be behind him, but on Brazilian clay he will always be a tough nut to crack for most players; Tseng was impressive in his first round win over Tabilo and if he can keep up that level he can definitely win here, but Monteiro is generally the more consistent player on this surface and might have the slight edge going in.

Prediction: Monteiro in 3

Sebastian Baez vs Mariano Navone

Head-to-head: Baez 1-0 Navone

Their one previous meeting was at this very tournament last year, but in the final. This means that both players are defending the best result of their careers so far this week and will be doing their absolute best to advance. Last year, Baez won in very straightfoward fashion, dropping only three games, but Navone has made significant strides since and this should be a far tigher contest.

Prediction: Baez in 3

Alexander Zverev vs Alexander Shevchenko

Head-to-head: first meeting

With Jannik Sinner banned for 3 months, Alexander Zverev has a great chance to become #1 in the world soon and winning this tournament, where he is a very clear favorite looking at the draw, would significantly help him with that goal. Shevchenko has never been a threat to the elite players and clay is far from his best surface, so on paper this should be straightfoward for the world #2.

Prediction: Zverev in 2

Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images