Barcelona Open 2024: Sebastian Baez vs Matteo Arnaldi; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction

The Barcelona Open has already set up many action-packed clashes for us. Sebastian Baez and Matteo Arnaldi will step on the dirt to play against each other. Baez and Arnaldi have found each other after a tough season riddled with early exits in many tournaments. The two are now ready to give the other player a first-round exit. 

Arnaldi has had a particularly difficult time this season as he has failed to achieve more than 3 wins in the tournaments he played. Baez caught a break with the Rio and Chile Open as he managed to win the two ATP 250 tournaments.  

Sebastian Baez vs Matteo Arnaldi: Preview

Baez has not managed to keep up with the competition since he won the Chile Open. After a round of 32 exits in Indian Wells, he lost the Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters in the opening round. He played against Jan-Lennard Struff and lost 1-6, 7-6, 6-2. He managed 2 aces and hit 5 double faults with only a 60% win on first serve. Baez took 5 out of 13 break points and gave Struff 24 chances to take a break point, but he only took 4, showing he performed well under pressure. 

Besides Brisbane and Miami, Arnaldi has not managed to accumulate more than two wins in a tournament. He lost to Sumit Nagal 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in Monte-Carlo round of 64. In Barcelona, he played Arthur Cazaux in the first round, but the Frenchman had to withdraw due to a heinous ankle injury. Before he withdrew, Arnaldi had managed 3 aces and 71% of a win on first points but also gave away 18 receiving points while taking 17.  

Baez vs Arnaldi: Head-to-Head

Baez and Arnaldi have never played against each other on the ATP Tour. The two will be a part of a first-ever as they aim to overcome each other on clay. The two players have shown equally bad performances in the Monte-Carlo Masters, which does not paint a good light on the one who will go deeper in the tournament. Regardless, Barcelona is the perfect stage for the two to get their clay performance under control before the Madrid Open.

Prediction: Baez to take the win from Arnaldi

Although both have struggled in the recent past, Baez has shown overall better performance than Arnaldi. The Argentinian, who is ranked 19, will likely be the player to emerge victorious in Barcelona. He has faced difficulties against players in Masters and slams, which makes Barcelona a safer space for him. Arnaldi currently ranked 40, was toe-to-toe with Cazaux, who only lost because of his injury.

Had the match continued, the Frenchman could’ve done serious damage to the Italian. While both are almost equal, Baez has shown better return and 1st serve win percentage in the last few weeks than Arnaldi. Unless an injury hampers him or Arnaldi becomes a ruthless player in the span of a few hours, the victory goes to Baez.