Only eight men remain at the Swiss Open 2019. The quarterfinal matches are poised to be a hotly contested affair. Here’s previewing all the matches and who reaches the last four.
ATP Swiss Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Thomas Fabbiano vs Cedrik Marcel Stebe
Head to head – First Meeting
When you factor in their form heading into Gstaad, both of them have definitely punched above their weight. Cedrik Marcel Stebe was yet to win an ATP main draw match in 2019 before he notched up two fine wins over Corentin Moutet and Jiri Vesely. Thomas Fabbiano has an abysmal win-loss record on clay over his career but his win over Lorenzo Sonego should give him a load of confidence.
This match is on either player’s racket and a semifinal showing here can build up much-needed momentum. Stebe possesses the bigger serve but Fabbiano can easily counter that. Both men have posted good numbers on serve so far but the clay courts also demand a solid baseline game and that makes me lean towards Fabbiano.
Prediction: Fabbiano in 3
Albert Ramos Vinolas vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head to head – Ramos Vinolas 3-2 Carballes Baena
The pair met last week at Bastad with Ramos Vinolas clinching it in three sets, 4-6 6-1 6-1. The older Spaniard completely dominated the last two sets, securing a decisive mental edge heading into this match.
Carballes Baena has looked solid since dropping the first set against Paolo Lorenzi and is seeded sixth here. However, Ramos Vinolas in all certainty looked even more secure against the second-seeded Fernando Verdasco. Most importantly Ramos Vinolas has protected his serve, his weakest shot, getting broken only once so far. Expect the older Spaniard to power through to the last four.
Prediction: Ramos Vinolas in 2
Pablo Andujar vs Dusan Lajovic
Head to head – Andujar 3-1 Lajovic
Both men survived massive scares in their Round of 16 matches, coming from a break down in the third set to win it in a tiebreak. Pablo Andujar has looked rusty in both of his matches but has found a way to win. Dusan Lajovic in his first match here would be happy he got through after Denis Istomin failed to serve out the match.
Clay has proved to be an ally for both of these talented players but recently more so for Lajovic. The Serb risks running out of fuel having played a lot of tennis over the past week. The single-hander can be a bane on clay but for Lajovic it has been ironclad this year on clay. The Serb heads into this match with a lot of confidence and should pip him over.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Joao Sousa
Head to head – Bautista Agut 3-2 Sousa
Joao Sousa has looked commanding in his wins over Steve Darcis and Gian Moroni with identical scorelines of 6-4 6-4. More so, he is yet to drop his serve and looks assured from the baseline. His Wimbledon run seems to have done him a world of good.
While Sousa’s run at Wimbledon was great, Roberto Bautista Agut’s run was even more spectacular. This should be a fiercely contested affair laden with long rallies. Sousa comes into this match with a decent amount of wins but Bautista Agut has won the last three times they’ve met. The older Spaniard, albeit only by a year, would be mighty pleased to win in two tight sets against Munar but will be stretched if he wants to get into the last four.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Main Photo from Getty
Disagree with our Swiss Open predictions? As always, feel free to leave comments with your thoughts.
