European Open 2024: Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Date: October 16, 2024
Tournament: 2024 European Open
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Lotto Arena, Antwerp, Belgium
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Prize Money: €690,135
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview
World No. 9 Alex De Minaur will take on Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round of the European Open on Wednesday (October 16, 2024).
De Minaur has had a solid season on the men's tour this year. He's garnered 40 wins from 53 matches, including title-winning runs in the Libema Open and the Mexican Open. He also secured a runner-up finish in the Rotterdam Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in the finals.
The Australian will enter Antwerp on the back of a quarterfinal exit in New York. He defeated the likes of Daniel Evans and Jordan Thompson en route to the last eight but couldn't manage to get past Jack Draper. The Brit outmuscled De Minaur in two hours and seven minutes, 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.
Roberto Carballes Baena, meanwhile, has had a modest season so far, having chalked up 25 wins from 48 matches, including a runner-up finish in The Grand Prix Hassan II. The Spaniard also reached the quarterfinals in Auckland, Bastad and Hagzhou, where Zhang Zhizhen defeated him in straight sets.
He entered Antwerp on the back of a third-round exit in Shanghai. The 31-year-old started his campaign with a dominant win against Dominik Koepfer in the first round, 6-4, 6-0. He will be eager to keep up the momentum against De Minaur in the upcoming round.
Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena head-to-head
De Minaur leads the head-to-head against Carballes Baena 1-0, having defeated the Spaniard in the 2024 Italian Open.
Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Alex De Minaur vs Roberto Carballes Baena prediction
Alex De Minaur will return to the fold after a short spell on the sidelines. Despite facing fitness concerns at the US Open, he showcased his resilience by reaching the quarterfinals. The Australian has raised his level this year and will be raring to chalk up a significant result this week in Antwerp.
Roberto Carballes Baena, on the other hand, has chipped in with promising results this year. He has a versatile all-around game but will need to raise his level to challenge higher-ranked opponents on tour. The Spaniard has gotten off to a good start at most events but faces a tough challenge against De Minaur on Wednesday.
Despite playing his first match in seven weeks, De Minaur will be a heavy favorite to come out on top. He will be up against a stubborn customer in Carballes Baena, but should be able to exploit his weaknesses as the match progresses. The top seed has a 76% win ratio on hard courts and will most likely outsmart the Spaniard in the second round.
Pick: De Minaur to win in three-sets.