Umag R2 previews and predictions: Alcaraz vs. Gombos, Musetti vs. Cecchinato

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will be in action in Umag on Thursday against lucky loser Norbert Gombos. Hamburg champion Lorenzo Musetti and Marco Cecchinato will clash in an all-Italian affair with a quarterfinal spot on the line.

(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (LL) Norbert Gombos

Alcaraz went on a tear this spring. The world No. 5 reeled off 4 tournament wins including a pair of Masters titles in Miami and Madrid. While Alcaraz has made his way to the business end of most tournaments since, there has been some Grand Slam disappointment (quarters at Roland Garros and 4th round at Wimbledon) and no more titles since the Madrid Masters. The Spanish teenager made his way to the final in Hamburg last week, but he was upset by the inspired Italian Lorenzo Musetti.

Gombos got his spot in the main draw in Umag following the withdrawal of Jiri Vesely. The Slovak is ranked 117th in the world. He spends most of his time on the Challenger circuit, although he has managed to qualify a handful of times. He has only won two tour-level matches this year (including one this week in the first round over Federico Delbonis).

This should be a straightforward win for Alcaraz, who is an excellent clay-courter.

Cheryl pick: Alcaraz in 2

Ricky pick: Alcaraz in 2

(8) Lorenzo Musetti vs. Marco Cecchinato

The Hamburg champion is on a serious hot streak. Musetti went into Hamburg last week ranked 62nd in the world. With the title he jumped 31 spots to No. 31 in the world, high enough at the moment to nab a seed at the U.S. Open. The win was especially impressive since the Italian outplayed Alcaraz in the final.

Checchinato, Musetti’s countryman, is ranked 151st. With his first round win this week over wild card Mili Poljicak (411th in the world), his record this year is 3-6. Cecchinato was ranked No. 16 back in 2019, but his ranking has fallen off precipitously since. He lost his only previous match against Musetti, a five-set thriller at last year’s French Open.

Musetti put in an impressive effort in Hamburg; fatigue may well be a factor later this week. But for now this one should go his way without much fuss.

Cheryl pick: Musetti in 2

Ricky pick: Musetti in 2