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The fourth day of the 2023 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Thursday (February 16) will see the completion of the second round with five matches.
On Wednesday, five first-round and three second-round matches were completed. The victors include the likes of former winner Stan Wawrinka, fourth seed Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner. However, second seed Andrey Rublev bit the dust.
On that note, here's a look at the predictions for the five second-round matches in Rotterdam on Thursday:
#1 Gregoire Barrere vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (2022 Rotterdam winner)
Qualifier Gregoire Barrere will take on defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the Rotterdam last eight.
The 71st-ranked Barrere (4-3) made the Montpellier quarterfinals last week and beat David Goffin in the opening round here. Meanwhile, World No. 8 Auger-Aliassime (4-2) opened his title defense by beating Lorenzo Sonego.
In the pair's first meeting, expect the Canadian to prevail.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in straight sets
#2 Daniil Medvedev vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Sixth seed Daniil Medvedev will take on Botic van de Zandschulp as he seeks to reach the Rotterdam quarterfinals.
The World No. 11 improved to 6-2 on the season after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round. Meanwhile, the 35th-ranked Zandschulp is 4-2 in 2023 with a first-round win over Quentin Halys.
Medvedev has dropped just one set in his three previous meetings with the Dutchman and should win this one.
Prediction: Medvedev in straight sets
#3 Maxime Cressy vs Alex de Minaur
Maxime Cressy will take on Alex de Minaur in an all-unseeded Round of 16 clash in Rotterdam.
The 40th-ranked Cressy - who reached the Montpellier final last week - is 6-3 on the season after beating Tim van Rijthoven in the first round. Meanwhile, 25th-ranked De Minaur is 5-2 in 2023 after stunning second seed Andrey Rublev in the first round.
This will be their first meeting, but expect De Minaur to prevail, albeit by going the distance.
Prediction: De Minaur in three sets
#4 Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jannik Sinner
In undoubtedly the match of the second round, top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Montpellier winner Jannik Sinner.
World No. 3 Tsitsipas (13-1) is the 2023 match win leader, having made the Australian Open final last month. Meanwhile, 14th-ranked Sinner - 9-2 on the season - is coming off his seventh career singles win in Montpellier last week.
Tsitsipas has a 5-1 H2H lead over Sinner, winning the last four, including one at Melbourne Park last month. Expect the top seed to extend his dominance against the Italian.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in three sets
#5 Holger Rune vs Gijs Brouwer
Fourth seed Holger Rune will take on wildcard Gijs Brouwer for a place in the Rotterdam quarterfinals.
The ninth-ranked Norwegian is 8-3 on the season, having reached the Montpellier semifinals last week. Meanwhile, World No. 160 Brouwer opened his account for the season by beating Marc-Andrea Huesler.
The two players haven't met before, but Rune should have no problem seeing off the Dutchman.
Prediction: Rune in straight sets
