Alex de Minaur vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Tough opener for Demon in Barcelona

De Minaur reached the semi-finals of a clay Masters 1000 for the first time in Monte Carlo last week, going down to Lorenzo Musetti in three sets. The Aussie has become increasingly more comfortable on the dirt over the last couple of years, also making the French Open quarter-finals last year.

However, this represents a challenging opening round in Barcelona. Etcheverry is very dangerous on clay and made the semi-finals of this tournament last year, going down in a tight 6-7 4-6 loss to eventual champion Casper Ruud. Etcheverry also defeated de Minaur in straight sets in their only previous meeting on clay at the 2023 French Open. The Argentine hasn't been in great form this season, but this is a good opportunity for him to test himself against a top 10 player on his favourite surface. I think Etcheverry has the ability to at least take a set, but will still lean with Demon in three.

Currently level at 1-1. Etcheverry was a routine straight sets winner at the 2023 French Open before de Minaur rolled the Argentine 6-1 6-4 to start the 2025 season in the United Cup.

Nobody has won more matches on tour than de Minaur so far in 2025, with the Aussie coming into Barcelona with a 20-7 record on the season.

De Minaur made the Australian Open quarter-finals and finished runner-up in Rotterdam to begin the season, going down to the world's top two players in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz respectively.

The 26-year-old could have fared better in Indian Wells and Miami, falling to Francisco Cerundolo and Matteo Berrettini, but he got back to his best on the clay of Monte Carlo last week.

Indeed, de Minaur produced some thunderous performances, crushing Daniil Medvedev 6-2 6-2 and Grigor Dimitrov 6-0 6-0 before going down to Musetti in the semis.

De Minaur hasn't been able to win back-to-back matches in his last two appearances in Barcelona, but he was a semi-finalist in 2022.

It hasn't been a great start to the season for Etcheverry - he's down at No. 46 in the world after reaching a career-high of No. 27 in 2024.

Etcheverry is a negative 8-11 on the season so far and is in danger of another rankings drop after reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona last year.

The Argentine was a little unlucky during the Golden Swing on clay in February, losing to the eventual champion or finalist across tournaments in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Santiago.

Etcheverry also had a tough draw in Monte Carlo last week, beating Corentin Moutet in the opening round before running into eventual semi-finalist and top 10 ATP race member Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.