Rotterdam R2 previews and predictions: Raonic vs. Wawrinka, Berdych vs. Shapovalov

Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka are set for a rematch of their Australian Open clash during second-round action in Rotterdam. Tomas Berdych and Denis Shapovalov are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals of this 500-point event.

(4) Milos Raonic vs. (WC) Stan Wawrinka

Roanic and Wawrinka will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers and for the second time this season when they meet again in round two of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament on Wednesday. Wawrinka leads the head-to-head series 4-3, but they squared off at each of the past two Grand Slams and Raonic got the job done on both occasions–winning 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-3 at the U.S. Open and 6-7(4), 7-6(6), 7-6(11), 7-6(5) at the Australian Open. Tiebreakers were the theme of their only previous indoor showdown, as well, which also took place in Rotterdam–with Wawrinka prevailing 7-6(3), 7-6(7) in the 2015 semifinals.

After defeating the Swiss, Raonic eventually ousted Alexander Zverev and reached the quarters Down Under before falling to Lucas Pouille. The 14th-ranked Canadian also advanced to the last eight in Brisbane and he improved to 7-2 for his 2019 campaign with a 7-6(8), 7-5 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber on Tuesday. Wawrinka began his week by beating Benoit Paire 7-6(4), 6-1 on Monday. The 33-year-old was not at his best but benefited from a traditionally erratic performance off Paire’s racket. Based on both current form and their recent history, Raonic should have a slight edge in this one.

Pick: Raonic in 2

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(WC) Tomas Berdych vs. (10) Denis Shapovalov

Like Wawrinka, Berdych is making his way back from an injury-plagued 2018 campaign. The 33-year-old Czech’s comeback has gotten off to an outstanding start, as he already boasts 11 match victories in 2019. Berdych finished runner-up in Doha, reached the fourth round in Melbourne, advanced to the semis last week in Montpellier, and opened in Rotterdam with a 7-6(8), 6-4 defeat of Gilles Simon on Tuesday.

Up next for the world No. 59 is a third career contest against Shapovalov, with the head-to-head series standing at 1-1. Berdych survived 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-5 on the grass courts of Queen’s Club in 2017 before Shapovalov won a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) thriller at last season’s Rome Masters. The 19-year-old Canadian is a mediocre 4-3 in ATP tournament play in 2019 following a 7-5, 6-3 victory over qualifier Franko Skugor on Tuesday. But this is a steep step up in competition for the 10th seed and Berdych should be able to hit him off a quick indoor hard court.

Pick: Berdych in 3

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