After Day 4 play at the ATP Cordoba Open, the quarterfinals will be set. The winners Thursday will join Wednesday’s winners in the final eight. Day 4 is highlighted by the first match of the week for home favorite and top seed Diego Schwartzman, and the ninth tour-level matchup between veterans Pablo Andujar and Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Finally, defending champ Juan Ignacio Londero is in action for the second time this week in hopes to repeat just as Victor Estrella Burgos did in Quito, the former site of this tournament.
ATP Cordoba Day 4 Predictions
Pablo Andujar vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head to head: 6-2 Andujar
While Andujar has dominated the rivalry over time, they have only played once since 2015, with Ramos winning in Gstaad last year. Andujar has been mostly on the challenger circuit the last couple of years, but played excellently winning three challengers last year as well as making a final at the 250 in Casablanca. Ramos is also primarily a clay courter, and although he does not have a lot of power, his shot selection can frustrate any player, giving him a high ceiling. Ramos’ best career result was on clay in Monte Carlo where he made the 2017 final. Andujar has not shown as strong of a game as Ramos in recent years, but this match will mostly depend on how well Ramos can hit winners over unforced errors so it will be close with Ramos having a slight edge.
Prediction: Ramos in 3
Laslo Djere vs Pedro Martinez
Head to head: first meeting
Djere is one of the lesser known players in the Top 50 right now, quietly putting together a string of good 2019 results to climb in the rankings. The young Spaniard Martinez broke into the challenger tour from futures in 2019 and earned his spot there on his way to the main tour. Martinez showed an ability to attain consistent results that helped his ranking improve, but he has not yet been able to beat top players. Djere will be hard to upset with his ability to grind in matches, and his experience and more complete game will lead him to victory.
Prediction: Djere in 2
Pedro Cachin vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head to head: 1-1
The two Argentines will play in a rematch of the quarterfinal last year here at their home tournament won by Londero on the way to his first and only ATP title. Londero had an excellent 2019, jumping from #118 to begin the year to #50 at year end. Their only other meeting won by Cachin was in 2018 before Londero broke out and became the player he has been recently. Cachin won his first round match in dominant fashion, breaking an eleven match losing streak. Londero comes in struggling too, losing six straight, although unlike Cachin, all of his six losses has been on hard court. He is a solid clay court player and will continue to play well at the site of his best performance to date. Londero should win comfortably.
Prediction: Londero in 2
Diego Schwartzman vs Jaume Munar
Head to head: 1-0 Schwartzman
Schwartzman is the top seed, playing in his hometown Argentina, and the only top-20 player in the draw. The 22-year-old Spaniard Munar is exciting to watch, and his last appearance on clay saw him win the Montevideo Challenger at the end of 2019. With his small stature, Schwartzman would seem to be a clay court specialist, but he has strongly established himself on all surfaces. He is an absolute grinder and is a threat to break every service game. The two player’s fairly similar styles will provide many exciting rallies. Schwartzman is a top player in the world for a reason, and while Munar has a lot of potential, right now Schwartzman is clearly the better player.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
