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Marcos Giron vs Botic Van De Zandschulp: ATP Antwerp – First round

American Marcos Giron will take on Botic Van De Zandschulp in the opening round of the ATP Antwerp.

Marcos Giron Profile

Marcos Giron is 47th in the ATP rankings, ten spots lower than his career high. The American is 22-24 for the season and 6-11 on hard surface.

He is coming off a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 loss to David Goffin in the third round in Shanghai.

Giron won the title in Newport this season, his first ever on the ATP tour and tenth in his career.

His best result in Antwerp was the quarterfinal in 2020 when he lost to Alex de Minaur.

Botic Van De Zandschulp Profile

Botic Van De Zandschulp is 68th in the rankings and last year he reached his career-high, No. 22 in the world. The Dutch is 35-29 for the season and 9-11 on hard surface.

Van De Zandschulp is coming off a 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 loss to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round on Shanghai.

This season, Van De Zandschulp reached the finals at the challengers in Luedenscheid and Braunschweig but lost on both occasions.

He has reached the round of 16 in Antwerp twice before.

Head-to-Head Giron leads 2-1

• Van De Zandschulp vs Giron 7-6, 6-3 (2023 ATP Munich, quarterfinal)
• Van De Zandschulp vs Giron 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 (2022 ATP Mallorca, first round)
• Van De Zandschulp vs Giron 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 (2021 ATP Indian Wells, first round)

Prediction and Conclusion

Both players are back from Shanghai, where they did not make any significant results. Giron is having a better season as he won his first ATP title this year, while Van De Zandschulp has dropped on the ATP rankings list. The Dutch will play close to home in an indoor stadium, which at the moment gives him some sort of advantage. He won the last match against Giron last year on clay. Both players have a solid serve, but Van De Zandschulp looks more ready at the moment, so we go with the Dutch to win this one.