Pavel Kotov vs Alexandre Muller Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Lyon Open

Prediction published on 21/05/2024, 02:51  by Daniel Ngulu in Tennis Predictions

Unseeded Pavel Kotov continues with his Lyon Open charge with a match wildcard Alexandre Muller in the second round. A quarter-final showdown with either Alexander Bublik or Aleksandra Vukic will then await the winner. Kotov is making his debut in this event and defeated Pedro Cachin in straight sets in the first round. He will be hoping to be as decisive against Muller as he seeks to get past his struggles this season. Kotov has compiled a shaky 11-10 record and has lost half of his last eight fixtures. He has however been better on clay where seven of his wins have come in 11 outings on the surface. His performances on clay have provided him with his best result so far this year, a semi-final finish in Marrakech. Advancing to this round has seen the 25-year-old move up to 56th in the live ranking, a career-high world placing.

Alexandre Muller defeated Kotov on clay in Marrakech last year. This was their only encounter up until now. The Frenchman, who is destined to have the full support of the home crowd, will be confident of victory. Muller, who is back in Lyon for a second successive season, eliminated compatriot Richard Gasquet in the first round. He relinquished eight games against Gasquet as he won his seventh match in his last eight outings. Muller has now won nine of 15 matches on clay and has compiled a 17-15 record to move up to 88th in the live ranking. Before arriving in Lyon, the 27-year-old had earned a fourth-round finish at the Italian Open as a qualifier. It was his best result at the tournament and he will hope to use this momentum and challenge for the Lyon title.