Seven second-round matches remain to be played at the 2020 ATP Adelaide International and we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for them all, including Andrey Rublev’s intriguing battle with Sam Querrey. But who will reach the quarterfinals in the South Australian capital?
ATP Adelaide International Day Four Predictions
Albert Ramos Vinolas vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: Ramos Vinolas 4-0 Munar
Albert Ramos Vinolas pulled off something of an upset against home hope Jordan Thompson to reach the second round, beating the Australian 6-4 6-7 6-3 in a hard-fought encounter. That match marked the Spaniard’s first competitive outing of the season, after he didn’t feature at the ATP Cup. Jaume Munar, meanwhile, lost to Gregoire Barrere in the final round of qualifying, but was given a reprieve and a first-round bye as lucky loser after top seed Alex de Minaur withdrew. Both men are at their best on the clay, but it is Ramos Vinolas who has the greater hard-court pedigree. Expect that to prove decisive here.
Prediction: Ramos Vinolas in 3
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Jan-Lennard Struff vs Alex Bolt
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jan-Lennard Struff arrived at the Adelaide International after a very solid week at the ATP Cup and he continued his fine form with a great performance to beat lucky loser Salvatore Caruso in the first round. He will now face local wildcard Alex Bolt, who also benefited from a withdrawal. Taking on 38-year-old Stephane Robert instead of Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Bolt proved too strong for the French veteran, finishing strongly to compete a 6-4 2-6 6-0 win.
But he may well find things tougher up against Struff, who enjoyed a career-best season in 2019. The German has massively improved the consistency and accuracy of his serve in recent years and he has combined that with increasing confidence in the forecourt, with his skills in that area sharpened by his experience playing doubles. If he can play this match on his own terms, expect him to overpower Bolt and take advantage of what is looking like a good draw.
Prediction: Struff in 2
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Tommy Paul vs Pablo Cuevas
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tommy Paul has started his season in fine fashion. The American qualified for this event with comprehensive wins over Matthew Christopher Romios and Nicolas Jarry, before dismantling Aljaz Bedene in the first round in straight-sets. The same cannot be said of Pablo Cuevas, who endured a torrid time at the inaugural ATP Cup, including suffering a 0-6 1-6 defeat at the hands of Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
However, despite coming to Adelaide seemingly low on confidence, the Uruguayan somehow managed to save three match points to beat Reilly Opelka 5-7 7-6 7-6. Cuevas didn’t look the happiest man on court against Opelka, which might have related to the American’s style with few long baseline rallies of the sort Cuevas enjoys. But whilst that win may have rebuilt some of Cuevas’ confidence, Paul has looked much the better player so far in 2019.
Prediction: Paul in 3
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