dailyloe.com – The ATP Madrid Open continues on day two with several first-round matches scheduled for April 22, 2026. Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev headline a draw that has lost several big names to withdrawal. The high-altitude event should be more open than usual this week even if world number one Sinner is a heavy favourite.
Reilly Opelka faces Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in a first-round matchup. Opelka leads the head-to-head 1-0 against Budkov Kjaer.
Opelka’s game is built entirely around his enormous serve and ability to end points quickly. He is a genuine handful on hard courts and grass. Clay is a different story for the American.
His career ATP clay record sits at 16-23. Over the last 52 weeks it has been an even more worrying 2-5. Madrid’s altitude does quicken the surface slightly, which helps Opelka more than a slower clay would. It is still not his playground according to analysts.
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer came through qualifying here, beating Moez Echargui in straight sets with a clean, aggressive display. The Norwegian qualifier is a comfortable clay mover who can extend rallies and make life difficult for a player who hates grind.
Opelka’s serve will win him free points. Budkov Kjaer should be able to work the longer exchanges in his favour. The prediction is Budkov Kjaer in three sets.
Pablo Carreno Busta faces Marton Fucsovics in another first-round match. Fucsovics leads the head-to-head 1-0 against Carreno Busta.
Carreno Busta is a hometown crowd favourite at this event. His recent record here makes for uncomfortable reading. He has lost his last six opening-round matches in Madrid.
The Spaniard is still piecing himself back together after his elbow injury wiped out most of 2023. While he returned to the top 100 this season, his clay form has been inconsistent. He retired mid-match in Barcelona qualifying last week, which raises real questions about his fitness heading in.
Marton Fucsovics comes in with his own struggles. He lost in the opening round at Monte Carlo to Tabilo. At least he appears to be physically sound. Their only previous meeting went to the Hungarian.
With Carreno Busta carrying an injury cloud and a poor record here specifically, Fucsovics is the safer pick to advance. The prediction is Fucsovics in three sets.
Alexei Popyrin faces Martin Damm in their first career meeting. Popyrin arrives in Madrid in poor overall form. His 2026 season has been a struggle, with a 4-10 record before the clay swing.
