Roberto Bautista-Agut vs Karen Khachanov Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Mutua Madrid Open

Prediction published on 26/04/2024, 05:19  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/04/2024 at 04:45 in ATP Mutua Madrid Open Prediction

The second round of the Madrid Masters sees 16th seed Karen Khachanov face lucky loser Roberto Bautista Agut. The winner of this match goes into the last 32 against either the 22nd seed Nicolas Jarry or unseeded Flavio Cobolli. This is an outdoor clay court tournament and these two players recently met earlier this year but in an indoor hard court event. Khachanov won that match in Marseille in straight sets and lost only four games. Now they face each other on clay and Khachanov will be hoping for another good run in Madrid. Last year saw him get to the last eight here and also at Roland Garros. The Russian is 19th in the live rankings (two lower than in the last published list as he's defending so many points) and 17th in the ATP Race. This is his second clay court tournament of the year. The other was in Monte Carlo where he lost to eventual winner Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight having previously beating Daniil Medvedev.

Roberto Bautista Agut lost to Albert Ramos Vinolas in the final qualifying round in this tournament. The withdrawal of Daniel Evans saw him put into the main draw as a lucky loser. He made the most of that good fortune with a three-set win over Daniel Elahi Galan, losing the middle one. He comes into this match 85th in the live rankings and up to 55th in the ATP Race. This is his fourth ATP clay court tournament of the year and he's reached the last 16 twice to date in Estoril and Barcelona. He leads Khachanov 6-4 in previous meetings but has lost the last two. Agut has also never beaten his opponent on clay, losing the three that have been played including in this tournament last year. We tip Khachanov to get another win on Saturday.