Damien Kayat previews the 2023 Men’s ABN AMRO Rotterdam Open – Selected Round of 32 and Round of 16 Matches as Jannik Sinner faces Benjamin Bonzi, and Stan Wawrinka takes on Richard Gasquet.
2023 WTA Tour
ATP 500
ABN AMRO Rotterdam Open
Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, Netherlands (Indoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 32 and Round of 16 Matches
15 February
Round of 32
Jannik Sinner (19/100) vs Benjamin Bonzi (3/1)
Many have predicted that Italian Jannik Sinner would be a future World No.1. The all-court dynamo has now reached the quarterfinal stage of all four Slams and you feel that 2023 could be a massive year for the youngster.
He has been one of the most consistent players in world tennis over the past six months (in very under-the-radar fashion). He is 14-6 since losing at the quarterfinal stage of the US Open.
This included a pretty impressive showing in Melbourne. He reached the final 16 of the Aussie Open (only to be outlasted by eventual finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets).
He has really been on the knife-edge of greatness over the past year (remember his epic US Open defeat to Carlos Alcaraz?). And the Italian comes into this match with some real confidence after winning his 7th title in Montpelier. He is an understandable favourite who seems to be building up a head of steam.
26-year-old Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi is the type of mercurial talent that you certainly don’t want to face in the early rounds.
The hard-hitting Bonzi has an efficient serve and powerful forehand. He does tend to lose a bit of consistency in extended rallies (this is where Sinner will obviously look to thrive).
Bonzi will look to exploit these quick conditions and dictate the game with shorter points. He started this year fantastically, reaching the final of the admittedly low-calibre Maharashtra Open.
He also had a decent little outing at the Aussie Open, beating hardcourt heavyweight Pablo Carreno Busta en route to the 3rd round. But he has lost successive matches since that Aussie Open run. He was particularly disappointing in Montpellier, going down in straight sets to Lorenzo Sonego.
Verdict: Sinner to win in three at 16/5
Sinner leads the head-to-head rivalry 2-0. He most recently defeated the Frenchman in three tight sets at the 2022 Indian Wells event. Sinner obviously should have the overall game to outmaneuver the enigmatic Frenchman.
But you can’t discount the aggressive Bonzi on these types of surfaces. His see-ball, hit-ball approach can be devastating on the right day. He could benefit from any hangover effects that Sinner may be feeling from Montpelier. I think its worth backing Bonzi to nick a set here.
Round of 16
Stan Wawrinka (8/13) vs Richard Gasquet (23/20)
37-year-old Stan Wawrinka must be on the brink. Honestly, he must feel so frustrated with all the injuries he has suffered in the twilight of his career. You have to admire the three-time Grand Slam champion’s pluck and resilience.
But he has won only two matches this year. The first of those came against this very opponent in the United Cup. The 2nd of those came with a victory over Daniel Altmaier in the Davis Cup.
But he has really struggled to string consecutive victories together. That’s why I was super impressed with the way he dealt with the dangerous Alexander Bublik.
He beat him here in straight sets, drawing level with Bublik in their own personal rivalry. Wawrinka has been one of the most effective indoor hardcourt operators during his career and this includes massive success in this very event.
He won the title here in 2015 and would reach his 2nd final in 2019. Can he turn back the hands of time one more time this week?
Verdict: Wawrinka to win in straight-sets (7/4)
I was slightly surprised to learn that Gasquet leads the head-to-head rivalry 3-1. The last of those victories came in a pulsating three-set encounter in Antwerp last year. It’s quite a rarity to find two single-handed backhands going head-to-head.
I think that Gasquet may have the superior power off that wing. But Wawrinka has undoubtedly more power off the forehand wing. I just think there was something extremely clinical in his victory over Bublik. Gasquet may also feel the pinch after a grueling encounter with Carreno Busta.
