South American derby!

Big clash between the two South Americans and it’s shaping up to be a promising one. As a former semi-finalist for Tabilo and a former quarter-finalist for Cerundolo respectively, we know they’re capable of playing very well here in these conditions.

Tabilo has just picked up a Challenger title in Aix-en-Provence and I was wary about how he’d start here this week, but this year he’s learned to manage his schedule better and he looks very fresh to keep performing well. His match against Carreño was clean, even if the opposition wasn’t really there. I’m seeing Prime Tabilo again, the one who already reached the semi-finals here a few seasons ago. He’s particularly disciplined in his game, very committed and physically strong, which is often the biggest thing to watch with him. He doesn’t shy away from any baseline rally and keeps being solid on serve. That mix is deadly.

On Cerundolo’s side, I keep saying that everyone has been rating him higher than he really deserves for several weeks now. He wins the matches he’s supposed to win, but as soon as he’s challenged by a good player, he often cracks mentally and in his game. Is he supposed to win this match against Tabilo? I think yes, he is the favorite in this matchup. But given the Chilean’s current level, it looks like it’s going to be tough.

His main strength is obviously his forehand, but against a lefty he could find himself a bit too often pinned down on his backhand and fail to get out of that crosscourt pattern.

We’ve got a Tabilo who’s playing the best tennis of his life and is overflowing with confidence facing a Cerundolo who I personally find average and often beatable, or at least more beatable than people tend to think.