It’s quarterfinals day at the Antalya Open, with the remaining eight fighting it out for a spot in the last four. The top seed Benoit Paire was knocked out in the tournament’s biggest upset so far, setting the draw up for an exciting finish. Everyone wants to do well at the Antalya Open so they have more confidence and grass experience heading into Wimbledon. We analyze the quarterfinal clashes and forecast the likely winners.
ATP Antalya Open Quarterfinals Predictions
Victor Troicki vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head to head – First Meeting
First up is an all-Serbian clash between a veteran and a rising young prospect. Victor Troicki, now 33 years old, surprised the top seed Benoit Paire, emerging victorious in two tiebreaks. While it was a tough pill to swallow for Paire, it certainly infused a lot of confidence into Troicki.
His opponent, Miomir Kecmanovic, looked solid throughout the match against Ugo Humbert dropping his serve only once. Kecmanovic, only 19 years of age, impressed at Stuttgart, beating Kohlschreiber, and made it through the qualifiers at Halle, beating Joao Sousa en route. Troicki already has played four matches here at Antalya will have his work cut out for him, but the old guard triumphs the NextGen in this match.
Prediction: Troicki in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Bernard Tomic
Head to head – Busta 1-0 Tomic
Pablo Carreno Busta was made to work hard in his opening encounter against Kevin Krawietz, but the Spaniard will be happy he got through it. His path to the trophy only gets tougher as he now takes on the Australian Bernard Tomic.
Tomic closed it out in two close sets against Peter Gojowczyk and will be eyeing a first semi-final appearance this year. Neither player have any kind of form to rely on, but because it’s a grass court match Tomic has the slight upper hand. If both players are on, it’ll be an entertaining match with lots of close games. The Australian just edges this one owing to his game being suited more for grass.
Prediction: Tomic in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head to head – Sonego 1-0 Mannarino
Adrian Mannarino looked jittery in his win over Roberto Carballes Baena in what should have been a routine win considering the Frenchman’s grass court season so far. Mannarino served 14 aces which should encourage him but the five double faults won’t. The Frenchman would know he’d have to be at his best to get past the Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Sonego’s response was swift and decisive after dropping the first set to Prajnesh Gunneswaran, bagging the second 6-0. The Italian has looked confident in his performances so far beating Joao Sousa to start his campaign here. He possesses a lethal serve but his baseline game will be put to the full test by the court craft of Mannarino. Expect Sonego to make it tough but the Frenchman scrapes through.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Jordan Thompson vs Damir Dzumhur
Head to head – First Meeting
Speaking of in-form players this grass court season, Jordan Thompson probably would have liked an easier quarterfinal. Seeded fifth this year, Damir Dzumhur was always going to be a dangerous opponent wherever he landed in the draw. Dzmuhur was stretched in his opening encounter against the Turkish wild card Altug Celikbilek, winning in three sets. Neither player serves big, hence relies on their baseline game to dictate points. Thompson has enjoyed a decent 2019 while Dzumhur at a 5-10 win-loss record this year doesn’t inspire much confidence. The Australian looks set to knock out the defending champion.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
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