It’s quarter-finals day at the ATP Chengdu Open with only eight men remaining in the draw. The round of 16 matches had their fair share of excitement and one hopes the quality of tennis on display continues to rise. We at LWOT preview all of the quarterfinal matches and predict who makes it to the last four.
ATP Chengdu Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Cristian Garin
Head to head: Carreno Busta 1-0
Pablo Carreno Busta certainly stood up to Benoit Paire to win in three sets but it’s a different challenge that awaits him now. Cristian Garin has looked pretty good so far here in Chengdu winning against Kyle Edmund and Fernando Verdasco.
The Spaniard has beaten Garin before but that was three years ago and the Chilean hadn’t had a breakthrough season like the one he’s had in 2019. While Garin is a solid clay courter, his hardcourt results have been ordinary. A win here to reach the semi-finals may start to change that perception. Both are heavy baseliners but Garin is slightly more aggressive and powerful and that may prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Joao Sousa vs Lloyd Harris
Head to head – First Meeting
Lloyd Harris has certainly been impressive in his first two matches beating Dusan Lajovic in two straightforward sets. The South African is making the most out of being the lucky loser in the tournament and now takes on Joao Sousa for a place in the semi-finals.
Sousa seems to be gathering some form since his semi-final run at St. Petersburg. The Portuguese has beaten two quality opponents in Hyeon Chung and Felix Auger-Aliassime and should be fancying his chances here. Sousa is the more consistent baseliner and experienced out of the two. Expect those factors to have a say when they play each other for the first time in their careers.
Prediction: Sousa in 2
Denis Shapovalov vs Egor Gerasimov
Head to head – First Meeting
Egor Gerasimov is on some roll since St. Petersburg beating Matteo Berrettini, Adrian Mannarino and now John Isner in two weeks. Gerasimov served particularly well against Isner with 24 aces and just the two double faults to his name. It’s a shot he’ll need to fire again if he’s to reach the semi-finals here at Chengdu.
Denis Shapovalov didn’t look at his best as he scraped past qualifier Bradley Klahn in a third-set tiebreaker. They’ve never met before but with the way Gerasimov stood up to John Isner, the upset may not be beyond the Belorussian.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
Grigor Dimitrov vs Alexander Bublik
Head to head – First Meeting
If Alexander Bublik’s first two matches are any indication of the form the Kazakh is in, Grigor Dimitrov needs to be wary. Bublik brushed aside Jordan Thompson in two sets but Dimitrov will be a different nut to crack altogether.
The Bulgarian didn’t have it easy against Daniel Evans winning in two tight sets, 7-5 7-5. But as stated before, Dimitrov looks motivated to continue on his good form after his US Open campaign. The Bulgarian needs to play smartly against Bublik and has to be his attacking self. If Dimitrov can stay positive and not be hesitant to approach the net, it’s his match to lose.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
