Rio Open 2023 Day 3: Men's Singles Predictions ft. Fabio Fognini vs Tomas Barrios Vera, Thiago Monteiro vs Cameron Norrie

The third day of main draw action at the 2023 Rio Open in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday (February 21) will feature six first-round and two second-round matches. Two of these matches will continue from Tuesday.

On a rain-marred second day, only four matches could be completed. Second seed Cameron Norrie and fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo were among the victors. Carlos Alcaraz and Fabio Fognini were one game away from victory when rain intervened. The two matches will be completed on Wednesday.

Without further ado, here's a look at how the matches at the Rio Open on Wednesday could pan out:

#1 Round of 32: Dusan Lajovic vs Diego Schwartzman

Dusan Lajovic

This match was supposed to be played on Tuesday but couldn't because of rain at the Rio Open.

World No. 80 Lajovic is 3-3 this year, while the 38th-ranked Schwartzman is 1-4. The Argentinian, though, leads Lajovic 3-1 H2H and should triumph again.

Prediction: Schwartzman in three sets

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#2 Round of 32: Carlos Alcaraz (Rio Open top seed) vs Mateus Alves (to finish 6-4, 5-3)

Carlos Alcaraz

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz couldn't beat the rain as he led Alves 6-4, 5-3. He'll hope to extend his perfect 4-0 start to the year against the ATP Tour debutant, having won the Argentina Open last week.

Prediction: Alcaraz in straight sets

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#3 Round of 32: Thomas Bellucci vs Sebastian Baez

Thomas Bellucci

In another match that was scheduled for Tuesday, wildcard Thomas Bellucci will make his season debut against sixth-seeded Baez.

The 915th-ranked Bellucci has never met World No. 35 Baez before. Expect Baez, who is 4-4 in 2023, to take this first-time matchup.

Prediction: Baez in straight sets

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#4 Round of 16: Thiago Monteiro vs Cameron Norrie

Cameron Norrie

Thiago Monteiro will take on second seed Cameron Norrie for a place in the Rio Open quarterfinals.

The 83rd-ranked Monteiro improved to 2-6 in 2023 after beating Dominic Thiem in the first round, while World No. 13 Norrie is 14-3 after beating Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Monteiro won the pair's only meeting three years ago in Auckland, but the in-form Norrie should take this one.

Prediction: Norrie in straight sets

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#5 Round of 32: Fabio Fognini vs Tomas Barrios Vera (to finish 6-2, 5-2)

Fabio Fognini

In yet another matchup that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, World No. 86 Fognini leads qualifier Barrios Vera 6-2, 5-2.

The Italian is 0-3 in 2023, while the 196th-ranked Barrios Vera is 2-1. Expect Fognini to complete the job in straight sets.

Prediction: Fognini in straight sets

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#6 Round of 16: Alex Molcan vs Hugo Dellien

Hugo Dellien

Ninth seed Alex Molcan will take on Hugo Dellien for a place in the Rio Open quarterfinals.

The 54th-ranked Molcan is 2-5 on the season after winning his opener, while World No. 111 Delien is 4-3 after also winning his first-round match. Expect the latter to take this first-time matchup.

Prediction: Dellien in straight sets

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#7 Round of 32: Jaume Munar vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles

Jaume Munar

In another contest that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jaume Munar will open his Rio Open campaign against Bernabe Zapata Miralles.

World No. 66 Munar is 1-4 in 2023, while the 63rd-ranked Zapata Miralles is 4-4. Munar won their lone meeting in Gstaad last year, but Zapata Miralles should prevail here.

Prediction: Zapata Miralles in three sets

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#8 Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Albert Ramos-Vinolas

This was yet another match that was supposed to be played on Tuesday. World No. 47 Ramos-Vinolas is 2-6 on the season, while Etcheverry is 3-4.

The Spaniard has won both previous meetings with Etcheverry and should do so again.

Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in three sets