Argentina Open: Thiem vs Molcan Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Argentina Open as Dominic Thiem takes on Alex Molcan in the first round on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

Two-time Argentina Open champion Dominic Thiem is returning to Buenos Aires for the first time since 2019. The Austrian is set to battle Slovakian lefty Alex Molcan in an entertaining first-round match. Who will prevail?

Dominic Thiem failed to inspire his country towards qualification for the Davis Cup Finals as they lost in qualifying to Croatia 3-1. Thiem has lost all four competitive matches he has played in so far in 2023. And of concern, he has not won a single set in any of those matches. Thiem is returning to Buenos Aires for the fourth time. He has won this event on two occasions and reached the semifinal on his last visit in 2019. Can he rediscover his best form on clay during the Golden Swing?

Alex Molcan, meanwhile, enter the fray at the Argentina Open for the first time. Molcan is not fond of playing in South America at this time of the season, but since he is not defending any points in March, it makes sense he has tweaked his schedule to accommodate the playing surface he had the most success. Molcan will look to improve on his poor start to the season. He is 1-4 coming to Buenos Aires to take on Dominic Thiem.

Dominic Thiem and Alex Molcan have not played each other on the ATP Tour. Both players are more at home on the clay. Molcan has won almost 150 matches at a professional level. Thiem, for his part, has won the bulk of his 17 ATP titles on clay. Molcan has such a sweet left-hander that he can use to push Thiem deep in the court. With Thiem these days you are not entirely sure what you’ll get. He’s been lackluster and just lacks the necessary firepower that at his absolute pomp would clean half the tour on this surface. Molcan looks a good bet in this matchup.