Veterans Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, and Roberto Bautista Agut will headline the Basel schedule on Thursday. Murray and Bautista Agut are going head-to-head in the second round, while Wawrinka awaits Brandon Nakashima.
(6) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Andy Murray
Bautista Agut and Murray will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of Murray, but all three of his wins came during his prime. Bautista Agut prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-2 in what was thought to be the last match of Murray’s career at the 2019 Australian Open and then the Spaniard destroyed the Scot 6-0, 6-1 earlier this season in Dubai.
A repeat of that lopsided encounter certainly can’t be expected, but Bautista Agut may at least have a slight edge in this one. Murray’s comeback from injury has been commendable overall but his current form is lackluster at best, as he has reached only one quarterfinal since the end of the grass-court swing. In another counter-punching duel, Bautista Agut should be able to wear down his fellow veteran.
Pick: Bautista Agut in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs. (PR) Stan Wawrinka
Following Roger Federer’s retirement, can Wawrinka pick up the slack in front of the Swiss fans? Although he has never played well in Basel, Wawrinka is certainly off to a strong start this time around. The 37-year-old opened with a 6-4, 6-4 upset of Casper Ruud, which came a bit out of nowhere since he had lost right away in both Astana (to Adrian Mannarino) and Antwerp (to Richard Gasquet).
Up next for Wawrinka on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Nakashima, who overcame David Goffin 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. Goffin has enjoyed plenty of success in Basel over the years, so even though he isn’t in his prime right now that is still a very good result for Nakashima. The 44th-ranked American is coming off a quarterfinal effort in Florence and his fall swing also includes a maiden ATP title at home in San Diego. Nakashima will likely be too consistent for Wawrinka, who still has a ton of talent but can no longer be relied upon to string good performances one right after the other.
Pick: Nakashima in 2
WWW?
RBA in 2; Naka in 3.
I used to love Murray. Now, it’s getting tiresome to see him fail to adapt his game to today’s realities, while chirping away furiously at whoever might be listening. Too bad Lendl can’t be at all his matches. The only person AM listens to.
Never underestimate Stan Wawrinka. He didn’t win 3 grand slams for nothing when 3 of the greatest players were playing the game.
Stan Wawrinka is playing amazing, I had him winning his 2 matches here Ruud and Nakashima and Stan was the underdog in both.
RBA(Roberto) is also playing well but I’m either backing Stan to win again or I pass, the crowd loves him as well this is Switzerland.
At 37 the higher he goes in a tournament fatigue starts to kick in, he retired at Metz(France) after reaching the semifinals because of fatigue so I won’t be surprised if he loses this match or retires.
But it’s Stan the man for me 😂.