Sebastian Baez vs Mariano Navone Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Rio Open

Prediction published on 19/02/2025, 01:08  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 19/02/2025 at 03:50 in Tennis Predictions

Fifth seed Sebastian Baez and unseeded Mariano Navone will battle in the second round at the Rio Open. In a repeat of last year’s final, the winner will face Thiago Monteiro or Chun-hsin Tseng in the quarter-finals. Below is our prediction for this match.

Baez is the defending Rio champion. He defeated Navone in last year’s final in straight sets and will be confident of continuing his title defence past this round.

The Argentine began his campaign with a 2-0 success over compatriot and lucky loser Roman Andres Burruchaga. He has now registered all five of his victories this season on clay.

Despite this, he has dropped 19 places in the live ranking to 50th.

Though he lost the final to Baez last season, advancing to the championship match was a monumental achievement for Navone. It was the first time in his career that he had made it to a tour final.

A clay court specialist, Navone would end 2024 having played two tour finals. He will hope to ascend to the final once again, on his return to Rio and achieve another career first, winning a tour crown.

The Argentine, who has compiled a 5-5 record, defeated Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets in the first round.

He too has plummeted down the live rankings and is currently 64th.