Stan Wawrinka is retiring at the end of this season. That will likely make him even more desperate to perform well at the ATP 500 in Rotterdam after impressing at the Australian Open. Alexander Bublik’s contest isa also among the others predicted in this piece. We at LWOT predict the remaining matches, including Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Alexei Popyrin, in a separate article.

ATP Rotterdam Day 3 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Jesper De Jong

Head-to-head: First meeting

Khachanov tends to be pretty solid in opening rounds. That generally holds true across all surfaces. De Jong will need his higher-ranked opponent to perform poorly in this encounter. Unfortunately for the home favorite, there is nothing he does better than Khachanov, which makes this a very challenging matchup.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2

Alexander Bublik vs Hubert Hurkacz

Head-to-head: Hurkacz 6-1 Bublik

The head-to-head is worrying for Bublik. However, the last of those meetings occurred in 2023, well before his breakthrough 2025 season. The Kazakhstani might also be playing Hurkacz at a good time, with this being the Pole’s fourth tournament back since a lengthy injury lay-off. Hurkacz was rusty in his last three events, and playing Bublik will likely be a challenge too early in his comeback.
Prediction: Bublik in 2

Tallon Griekspoor vs Quentin Halys

Head-to-head: Griekspoor 1-0 Halys

Griekspoor dealt with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s massive serve expertly in the previous round. Halys’ baseline-oriented game will provide a different challenge. Although the Frenchman can be dangerous, I expect Griekspoor to triumph. He usually plays well in front of home crowds, and his variety is well-suited to throwing Halys off-rhythm.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2

Stan Wawrinka vs Aleksandar Vukic

Head-to-head: Wawrinka 1-0 Vukic

Wawrinka played some of his best tennis in the last few years at the United Cup and Australian Open before another decent showing in Montpellier. This is a tough opening round for the Swiss legend against a player quite suited to indoor conditions. But I think Wawrinka can manage this challenge in his current confident mood, and that attacking Vukic’s weaker backhand will prove crucial.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3

Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images