The second round action at the 2025 ATP Barcelona Open continues on Thursday, April 17 as Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur take to court. You can get the best predictions and tips for the day from this tournament today.
Andrey Rublev v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
This is some match-up, what with the world number eight Andrey Rublev having defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in all their five meetings. Three of these came on clay, at the 2020 French Open, 2023 Italian Open and 2024 Madrid Masters and Rublev gave his opponent no chance.
So while Rublev might not be exuding the kind of confidence that’s probably needed as an eighth-ranked player thanks to his inconsistent form this year, he will still start a favourite – 4/5 – and we will be backing him to make it six in a row.
Talking about Rublev’s form, since winning the title at the Doha Open, he has won just two matches to go with four defeats including one in the third round at his first clay court tournament of the season in Monte-Carlo last week.
On the other hand, Fokina made the semifinal at that very tournament before Carlos Alcaraz took care of him. He returned here to register a crushing win over Stan Wawrinka but can he now use that form to overturn the psychological advantage that Rublev has over him?
Rublev v Fokina Tip: Rublev to win: 4/5
Carlos Alcaraz v Laslo Djere
World number Carlos Alcaraz is in rampaging form when he takes on the 80th-ranked Laslo Djere for a place in the quarterfinals. This will be their second meeting with Alcaraz having beaten Djere in three sets at the Argentina Open of 2023.
The Monte-Carlo Masters winner had some worries in the second set of his opening round match against Ethan Quinn but he came through in straight sets in the end. That made it his sixth win in a row on clay and that’s the kind of form he would like to take into the French Open which starts in a month’s time.
Djere was once 27th in the world but has fallen to number 80 and is now looking at clay to turn things around for himself. He has already grabbed a title in Santiago this year and having started off as a qualifier at the Argentina Open, Djere also made the semifinals there.
It is that kind of form that he will need to produce against Alcaraz and it might still not be enough. He might grab a set at the most.
Alcaraz v Djere Tip: Over 18.5 games in the match: 4/6
Alex de Minaur v Jacob Fearnley
World number seven Alex de Minaur will face the 74th-ranked in what will be their first ever meeting at any level of competitive tennis. And de Minaur starts off a 1/8 favourite here.
Fearnley is a surprise second round entrant too, having shocked Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets despite having started off a 33/10 underdog in their opener. Earlier, the Briton had fallen in the qualifiers but made it through as a lucky loser and now has a chance to earn himself a place in the quarterfinal.
Not that de Minaur is a pushover on clay. It might not be his most preferred surface but he did make it to the semifinal at the Monte-Carlo Masters last week and also managed to take a set off Lorenzo Musetti before getting edged out in a final set tie-breaker.
He shouldn’t have a lot of issues here and we expect a straightforward victory for the Aussie.
de Minaur v Fearnley Tip: Games Handicap de Minaur -4.5: 4/9
Other ATP Barcelona Open 2025 Predictions for the Day
- Munar v Khachanov: Munar to win in three sets: 3/1
