Estoril Open 2023: Fognini vs Cecchinato Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Estoril Open second-round match featuring Fabio Fognini vs Marco Cecchinato on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Fognini vs Cecchinato Match Preview

It’s an all-Italian clash at the Estoril Open that is sure to light the fireworks. Will it be Fabio Fognini who emerges on top? Or will Marco Cecchinato score his second win in the series?

Fabio Fognini secured just his second ATP win of the season in dominant fashion. He demolished fellow Italian Alessandro Giannessi for the loss of three games – his first win since Rio in February. It has been a poor start to the year for Fognini who is in danger of dropping outside the world’s top 100. Another win over Marco Cecchinato will at least keep his ranking in double-digits for a week at least. Can he reach the Estoril Open quarterfinals?

Marco Cecchinato, meanwhile, shocked Diego Schwartzman in the first round of the Estoril Open, beating the Argentine 6-3, 7-6. Despite entering the contest as a 2/1 underdog with oddsmakers, Cecchinato bullied the diminutive Schwartzman behind the return, with Schwartzman winning just 40% second-serve points. Cecchinato also took four of his six break points. By contrast, Schwartzman converted just three and spurned a set point in the second set.

Fognini vs Cecchinato Prediction and Pick

Fabio Fognini leads Marco Cecchinato 3-1 in their head-to-head. They last played on the clay in Belgrade where Fognini dropped the first set but fought back to take the match. Fognini was flawless in that opening match against Giannessi, who frankly was not an easy opponent after winning a Challenger title on clay a week earlier. But it was Fognini who rolled back the years to his peak 2019 form. I think he looks energized this week at the Estoril Open and even motivated to win matches now that his top 100 status is in grave danger. We reckon he’ll get his third win of the season.