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The third day of the 2023 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (February 15) will mark the start of the second round with four matches to be played.
Following the completion of the first round on the previous day, former World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and second seed Cameron Norrie will begin their campaigns in the Round of 16. The 19-year-old Alcaraz will play competitively for the first time in four months since the 2022 Paris-Bercy Masters.
Without further ado, here's a look at the predictions for the four Round of 16 matches at the Argentina Open on Wednesday:
#1 Roberto Carballes Baena vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Roberto Carballes Baena will look to make it two wins out of two at the Argentina Open when he takes on home hope Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
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The 76th-ranked Carballes Baena improved to 2-3 on the season by seeing off compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round. Meanwhile, World No. 83 Etcheberry beat Cordoba finalist Hugo Dellien to improve to 2-3 on the season.
The two players haven't clashed before, but expect Carballes Baena to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Carballes Baena in three sets
#2 Facundo Diaz Acosta vs Cameron Norrie
Facundo Diaz Acosta will take on second seed Cameron Norrie for a place in the Argentina Open quarterfinals.
The 191st-ranked Acosta upset his compatriot Federico Coria on Tuesday for his first ATP Tour win. Meanwhile, World No. 12 Norrie is off to an impressive 10-2 start to the year.
The Auckland finalist should have enough in the tank to end the inspired run of Acosta.
Prediction: Norrie in three sets
#3 Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs Dusan Lajovic
Qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli will take on Serbia's Dusan Lajovic for a place in the Argentina Open quarterfinals.
The 127th-ranked Carabelli got off the mark for the season by beating Daniel Elahi Galan in the first round on Tuesday. Meanwhile, World No. 57 Lajovic improved to 6-3 on the season after beating sixth seed and last week's Cordoba winner Sebastian Baez on Tuesday.
The two players haven't met before, but the experienced Lajovic should take this one.
Prediction: Lajovic in straight sets
#4 Carlos Alcaraz vs Laslo Djere
Carlos Alcaraz will make his season debut at the Argentina Open on Wednesday when he takes on Serbia's Laslo Djere.
After missing the Australian Open due to a freak injury in training, the World No. 2 will look to hit the ground running against Djere. The 57th-ranked Serbian opened his campaign at the tournament by beating Fabio Fognini to improve to 6-3 on the season.
Although the two players haven't met before, Alcaraz should emerge victorious.
Prediction: Alcaraz in straight sets
