After a week that has seen upsets, final-set tiebreaks and unpredictable matches, quarterfinals day promises to be another showcase of spectacular hard-court tennis at the Atlanta Open. But who will book their place in the semifinals?
Atlanta Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Bernard Tomic vs Alex De Minaur
Head-to-head: first meeting
First up on Stadium court is a battle of the Australians between NextGen star Alex De Minaur and experienced campaigner Bernard Tomic. Tomic was once thought by many to be the next big star in Australian tennis, before struggles on and off the court saw him squander his potential. But this week has been a return to form for Tomic, a pleasant surprise. After an impressive first-round win over Frances Tiafoe, he beat another compatriot, Matthew Ebden, in straight sets.
De Minaur has also been playing some great tennis this week, having won his only match in straight sets. This is the first meeting between the pair and it promises to be an interesting match. De Minaur is the more aggressive player who has more power in his serve and groundstrokes, as well as covering the court the better of the two. The unorthodox Tomic, however, is able to effectively neutralise power and disrupt opponents rhythm. Having said that, it is hard to look past De Minaur’s greater quality off the ground.
Prediction: De Minaur in 2
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Dan Evans vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: first meeting
This match features two of the sport’s in-form players with both men having a good run to the third round at Wimbledon this year. Opelka has one of the biggest serves on tour and used it to full effect to beat John Isner for the third time this year. However, there is more to his game than just a big serve, as shown by his impressive comeback win against Stan Wawrinka in the second round at Wimbledon.
Dan Evans has also had a remarkable year on tour. He had match points in the Delray Beach Open final, before losing narrowly to Radu Albot, and is establishing himself as a solid top-50 player, despite having been without a ranking eighteen months ago. This should be a close match, but the American’s powerful game and the support of the home crowd should give him the edge.
Prediction: Opelka in 3
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Cameron Norrie vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Cameron Norrie has been playing well on hard courts this year, reaching the final in Auckland, losing out to first-time ATP winner Tennys Sandgren. Norrie may not have the power of other players on tour, but he possesses a solid all-round game and has a supremely effective backhand. Alexei Popyrin is another up and coming player, who has had a good year on tour so far, highlighted by a run to the third round at the Australian Open. The Australian is definitely a player who has potential to do damage on tour thanks to his powerful groundstrokes. But expect Norrie’s experience to see him over the line in at the Atlanta Open.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
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Taylor Fritz vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Second seed Taylor Fritz looked impressive in cruising to a second-round win over Grigor Dimitrov’s conqueror Kevin King, even throwing down a 141 mph first serve. He will surely be targeting a deep run in Atlanta. But the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, who earlier this season reached the fourth round at Indian Wells is an accomplished hard-courter. He battled past Jack Sock 7-6 7-6 in the first round before dismissing eighth seed Ugo Humbert 6-2 6-2.
Both men’s foremost quality is their court coverage and long rallies are likely to be the order of the day, despite the stifling heat at the Atlanta Open. But Fritz should feel confident heading into this one, despite not having faced Kecmanovic before. Of the two, he possesses more power and is a generally cleaner ball-striker. That, coupled with the fact that he will be able to rely on the crowd’s support to fire him up, should give him a decisive advantage in what promises to be a close contest.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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