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The fourth day of main draw action at the 2023 ATP 250 Estoril Open on Thursday (April 6) will feature four second-round matches. Four seeds - two of them being wildcards - will be in action.
On Wednesday, the likes of top seed Casper Ruud and Marco Cecchinato emerged victorious, beating wildcard Joao Sousa and Fabio Fognini, respectively.
Without further ado, here's a look at how the four second-round matches at the Estoril Open on Thursday could pan out:
#1 Miomir Kecmanovic vs Jurij Rodionov
Sixth seed Miomir Kecmanovic takes on Jurij Rodionov for a place in the Estoril Open 2023 quarterfinals.
The 40th-ranked Kecmanovic improved to 9-8 on the season by beating Luca Nardi in straight sets in his opening contest. Meanwhile, World No. 120 Rodionov beat Spanish veteran Albert Ramos Vinolas to get off the mark in 2023.
The two players haven't met before, but the more experienced Kecmanovic should take the battle of the 23-year-olds.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in straight sets
#2 Dominic Thiem vs Ben Shelton
Dominic Thiem continues his Estoril Open campaign against eighth-seeded wildcard Ben Shelton.
World No. 111 Thiem won for only the second time in 10 matches this year by downing Sebastian Ofner from a set down. Meanwhile, the 39th-ranked Shelton beat Constant Lestienne for his first career clay court win and improve to 7-6 in 2023.
It's another first-time matchup, but Thiem - despite his travails this year - should prevail because of his superior pedigree on clay.
Prediction: Thiem in three sets
#3 Hubert Hurkacz (Estoril Open second seed) vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Second seed Hubert Hurkacz will get his Estoril Open 2023 campaign underway against Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
The 12th-ranked Hurkacz is 14-7 on the season, while World No. 43 Zapata Miralles improved to 8-7 in 2023 by beating qualifier Henrique Rocha.
The two players haven't met before, but the higher-ranked Hurkacz should take this one as the Pole seeks his second title of the season.
Prediction: Hurkacz in straight sets
#4 Roberto Bautista Agut vs Quentin Halys
Fourth seed and wildcard Roberto Bautista Agut opens his campaign against Frenchman Quentin Halys.
World No. 28 Bautista Agut is 8-8 in 2023, while the 80th-ranked Halys beat Nuno Borges for his ninth win in 18 matches this season.
This is yet another first-time matchup, where Bautista Agut - with his superior experience and pedigree - is expected to come up trumps.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in three sets
