Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Umag match.
Roberto Carballés Baena continues to struggle on his preferred clay court surface, having secured only six wins on it throughout the 2025 season. Nikoloz Basilashvili is also experiencing a dip in form, having lost four consecutive matches on clay. However, his overall season has been more consistent, and he maintains a positive win-loss record.
Roberto Carballés Baena
Roberto Carballés Baena is enduring a disappointing year, having suffered seven defeats in his last ten matches. His most recent setback came in Gstaad, where he lost to Francisco Comesaña. Despite past success in Umag, where he reached the quarter-finals twice, the Spaniard is currently out of form. Even his win over Carlos Taberner in the first round in Gstaad appeared fortuitous, as the match largely went against him. Roberto was comprehensively beaten in the opening set, winning only one point, and narrowly edged the third set in a tie-break. He then lost convincingly to Comesaña in the following round (1:6, 4:6).
Nikoloz Basilashvili
Nikoloz Basilashvili has not been overly impressive either, but his 2025 campaign has been more solid overall, with 26 wins and 21 losses. He delivered a respectable performance at Wimbledon, and in Gstaad, he was narrowly defeated in a deciding tie-break by Arthur Cazaux, who eventually advanced to the semi-finals. Basilashvili appears sharper, striking the ball with more confidence and playing a more aggressive brand of tennis. He also holds a clear advantage in their head-to-head record (3:0), including a straightforward victory at the 2021 Olympic Games.
Roberto Carballés Baena vs Nikoloz Basilashvili Prediction
Given the current form of both players and the head-to-head record, Nikoloz Basilashvili appears to be the stronger option. He is enjoying a more consistent season, while Roberto Carballés Baena has shown little to suggest he is ready to compete at a high level. We will take the Georgian to win outright.
