Madrid Open 2023: Cachin vs. Shelbayh Tennis Prediction and Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Madrid Open first-round match featuring Pedro Cachin vs. Abedallah Shelbayh on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Pedro Cachin vs. Abedallah Shelbayh Preview

Will Jordanian wild card Abedallah Shelbayh record the second ATP win of his career at the Madrid Open? Or will Pedro Cachin live up to his status as the favorite in this matchup?

Pedro Cachin has good memories of Madrid. He made his only Challenger final this year in the Spanish capital, losing to in-form Alexander Shevchenko. Outside that event, Cachin has struggled to play his best tennis even on the dirt where he is naturally comfortable. It will be a test for him coming up against one of the Challenger Tour’s breakout stars of 2023 in Abedallah Shelbayh.

Abedallah Shelbayh is not a household name just yet, but he is steadily rising through the ranks. He is already the first Jordanian to achieve an ATP ranking and has cracked a couple more milestones in 2023. He became the first player from his country to reach a Challenger final (at only his third tournament at that level) and recently won his maiden ATP match in Banja Luka. Shelbayh’s fast rise has earned him a main draw wild card at the Madrid Open where he will be inspired to impress in a country he can very much call a second home.

Pedro Cachin vs. Abedallah Shelbayh Prediction and Pick

Pedro Cachin and Abedallah Shelbayh have not played each other on the ATP Tour, with this first-round match at the Madrid Open being their first meeting. Cachin is the experienced player. And by dint of ranking and his greater pedigree on this surface, he is the overwhelming favorite. But Shelbayh is a top talent who might not have caught the eye of many but has got Rafael Nadal’s attention whom he trains at his Academy. It’s still a big ask to expect him to win here, but we like Shelbayh’s odds to take a set.