After an intriguing start to the China Open, the stage is set for a number of the biggest stars in the men’s game to battle it out on day four in Beijing. But who will advance and who will fall to defeat in the Chinese capital?
China Open Day Four Predictions
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 1-0 Basilashvili
Stefanos Tsitsipas, after a great start to the season, has been struggling since Wimbledon, losing in the first round there and at the US Open. As a result, he finds himself in need of a good run in Beijing. He managed to make a winning start, despite not playing his best tennis, as he edged out Dusan Lajovic in three. But he will need to raise his level against defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili, who opened his campaign with a fairly routine 6-4 7-6 win over Guido Pella. Tsitsipas will get the lift of having won their only previous contest, which came in the third round in Melbourne this year. But at the moment, Basilashvili is unquestionably playing the better tennis. Expect him to avenge that defeat.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 2
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Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: Zverev 1-0 Auger-Aliassime
This looks to be a most intriguing match. Alexander Zverev has rather toiled this season, but when he is at his best he remains a more than capable player and he made an excellent start to his China Open campaign by dismissing fellow young gun Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-2. He will likely be in for a stern second-round test up against Felix Auger-Aliassime, however. The Canadian also got off to a quick start in Beijing, beating Zhuhai semifinalist Albert Ramos 6-3 6-4. The teenager put on an excellent serving display, hammering down 11 aces, and it is from the line that he looks likely to be able to carve out an advantage in this one. It will be close, but expect Auger-Aliassime to just edge it.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
John Isner vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: Evans 1-0 Isner
Dan Evans has had another fine week on tour at the China Open after coming through the qualifying by beating Jie Cui and Vasek Pospisil, before despatching Li Zhe 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the main draw. But John Isner will present a step up in quality for the Briton. The big-serving 34-year-old had to play some of his very best tennis in the first round to get the better of Gael Monfils, but it was a win that will surely give him real confidence going forward. Evans does have the skillset to make life uncomfortable for Isner, but if the American’s serve is firing, it should see him safely into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Isner in 3
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Diego Schwartzman vs Sam Querrey
Head-to-head: Schwartzman 2-1 Querrey
Diego Schwartzman continued his fine run of form by extending his head-to-head lead over Fernando Verdasco with a hard-fought 6-4 3-6 6-3 win in the first round. But he will likely need to battle again if he is to get past Sam Querrey. The American has not had one of his best seasons, barring a run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, but he has the power to take the racquet out of any opponent’s hands. He did just that to Schwartzman last season in Shanghai, picking up a 6-3 6-4 win in the first round. But this is not an ideal matchup for him. Schwartzman is one of the best returners on tour and has the defensive ability to make Querrey play one more shot. Expect that to pay dividends for the Argentine.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
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