Benjamin Bonzi vs Dominic Thiem Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Estoril Open

Prediction published on 24/04/2022, 15:31  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 25/04/2022 at 10:11 in Tennis Predictions

World rankings can sometimes be misleading, that's the case with the world number 93 Dominic Thiem. At one time he was third in the rankings but has dropped down due to injury. He's on the comeback trail now and takes on Benjamin Bonzi in the Estoril Open first round. The Austrian needs to play as many matches as possible before the French Open. If he wins this match, then he could face eighth seeded Sebastian Korda in round two with top seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime a likely quarter final opponent. Thiem has been off court since a wrist injury last June. This year has seen him play a Challenger Tour event but lost in the first round to Pedro Cachin. More bad luck followed as he tested positively for Covid and missed the Monte Carlo Masters. He did play in the Serbia Open last week but lost in three sets against John Millman. Thiem is a two-time French Open finalist with 10 ATP Tour titles won on clay so his abiliity on this surface not have to be proved. He just needs time on court to get back into some form.

Benjamin Bonzi is ranked 58th in the world but was as low as 69th in February. He's never made it past the second round at the French Open and never won an ATP Tour title on clay. He has had title wins at lower levels though. Bonzi rose up the rankings after winning a Challenger Tour event in February but didn't beat anyone in the top 180. His best performance this year was reaching the last four in Marseille, losing to Andrey Rublev. He had a win over Aslan Karatsev earlier in the tournament. The clay court season didn't get off to a good start for Bonzi. The Frenchman lost in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters to Dan Evans. The first set was lost without him winning a game but the second and final one went to a tie-break. Thiem has a good chance of getting his first win of the year, back him to beat Bonzi.