The battle for the Winston-Salem Open title is hotting up with the draw of 48 now whittled down to just 16 men. All will be eager to put the perfect seal on their preparations for the US Open, which is set to begin next week. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
Winston-Salem Open Day Four Predictions
Filip Krajinovic vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Krajinovic 2-0 Tiafoe
After his impressive run to the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this season, Frances Tiafoe has rather failed to kick on. He has won just a handful of matches since the start of the grass-court season and may well have been grateful for his second-round opponent Jeremy Chardy’s retirement trailing 2-4. Filip Krajinovic, meanwhile, had to work hard for his second-round win as he finished strongly to beat the struggling Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 6-1. The Serbian hit the ball extremely well in that match and if he can continue to spread the court effectively, he should be in good stead to beat the misfiring Tiafoe.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
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Andrey Rublev vs Sam Querrey
Head-to-head: Querrey 1-0 Rublev
After one of the best weeks of his life in Cincinnati, where he beat Roger Federer en route to the quarterfinals, Andrey Rublev will surely be full of confidence. He looked sharp in the second round where he rallied past Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-7 6-3 6-1. But he did not get close to Sam Querrey in their only previous meeting, which the American won at a canter last month in the second round at Wimbledon. Querrey’s big serve and forehand worked well in the first round as he dispatched Roberto Carballes Baena. But Rublev has the power and confidence to expose Querrey’s lack of mobility. Expect him to do just that.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
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John Millman vs Robin Haase
Head-to-head: first meeting
John Millman has played a lot of tennis this year, but he has struggled to replicate the successes of 2018. Nonetheless, the Australian, who beat Marco Cecchinato from a set down in the second round after a first-round bye, remains a formidable competitor. Robin Haase, meanwhile, has had a torrid time with injuries, but has impressed so far in North Carolina, beating Denis Kudla in straight sets before edging fourth seed Joao Sousa 4-6 6-3 6-4. Neither player is in particularly impressive form, but Millman has that much more match fitness after having played a full calendar this season and that should give him the edge in this one.
Prediction: Millman in 3
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Pablo Carreno Busta vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0 Carreno Busta
After a difficult year, Pablo Carreno Busta found some form in Cincinnati, coming through the qualifying to make the third round where he lost to Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard is a former US Open semifinalist, so there is no doubt that he can play on hard courts, although he had to work hard for his win over Marius Copil in the second round. Seventh seed Lorenzo Sonego, meanwhile, dismissed Damir Dzumhur with ease, dropping just five games. But he will find Carreno Busta a rather sterner test. The Spaniard can match Sonego’s consistency and court coverage but is also more adept at stepping in and dictating. Expect that to prove the difference.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 3
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