We’re into the business end of the ATP New York Open, and the pre-tournament favorite, Milos Raonic, is already out before the quarterfinal stage. However, we are still left with defending champion Reilly Opelka and a host of good, young talent.
Find our previews and predictions for all four singles quarterfinals below.
ATP New York Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-Head Record: Kecmanovic 2-0 Humbert
This is a match to look forward to. Both of these men are NextGen prospects who appear to be ready for good seasons. Humbert has already won his maiden title in Auckland a few weeks ago and Kecmanovic shouldn’t have to wait too long for his breakthrough.
The Frenchman is the #4 seed here, so only has the one match under his belt. That only lasted thirteen games as he dominated Marcos Giron almost to the point of embarrassment. Humbert won 88% of the points behind his first serve, and an incredible 90% on Giron’s second serve.
Kecmanovic pulled out a very impressive victory against veteran Paolo Lorenzi. The Serb dominated behind his serve and created a healthy number of break-point opportunities. His game is obviously feeling in good shape and this makes it very difficult to choose a winner here.
Kecmanovic has dominated their previous meetings, the last of which is a very relevant hard court match in Atlanta last season. However, Humbert appears to have improved substantially during his current run of form. Humbert is also much more experienced indoors, carrying a 7% higher win percentage under these conditions. The Frenchman could edge this contest, but it is not a confident selection.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Kyle Edmund vs Kwon Soon-Woo
Head-to-Head Record: First meeting
Both of these players were exceptionally good at saving break-points in their second-round matches. Edmund saved seven from eight against Dominik Koepfer in a straight-sets victory. Kwon went one better and saved all seven that he faced against Milos Raonic. This kind of over-performance on these points cannot last, however.
Pleasingly Edmund appears to be finding a bit of much-needed form at this event. He has two straight-set victories in a row and looks to be playing more aggressive tennis. This was the type of tennis the Briton was playing in 2018 when he came so close to a Grand Slam final and qualification for the Tour Finals.
Kwon achieved the biggest win of his career to date when dispatching Raonic in round two. Playing so well in the key points should give the Korean a great deal of confidence and that skill really is the key to performing well here on the quick indoor surface.
It would be quite typical of tennis that a big result for a player is swiftly followed by a disappointing defeat. Edmund is very capable and Kwon needs to concentrate really hard to not allow a slip. However, the experience of the Briton might just help to squeeze him through the match-up.
Prediction: Edmund in 3
Jordan Thompson vs Andreas Seppi
The veteran Italian was very good on return against Steve Johnson in round two. Seppi won 46% of return points and with that advantage was able to break the American’s serve five times in two sets.
The late match was typically serve heavy, but Thompson came through with a break in the third. The late finish may take a little bit of edge off his game for this quarterfinal, though.
This match could easily go the distance, with both tiebreaks and a third set seeming eminently possible. Seppi has been really good in those tight spots this week and he should just edge this one if he can re-produce those efforts.
Prediction: Seppi in 3
Reilly Opelka vs Jason Jung
Head-to-Head Record: First meeting
The defending champion will have been pleased to get his first win of the season over Yoshihito Nishioka in the previous round. The big American fired down 20 aces versus his opponent’s zero. Nishioka did manage to create five break-point opportunities, three of them in the opening game, but failed to take any of them.
Jung seemed less than secure on serve when he was broken to love by Cameron Norrie in his first service game. Remarkably though that would be the only time the Taiwanese faced a break-point in the match. Jung’s 79% win percentage behind his first delivery was the key to him winning the match fairly comfortably. If the world #128 can sustain that serving then tie-breaks appear inevitable.
Jung has played well in his run and has yet to lose a set in his four matches at the tournament. Of course, Opelka has now won six from six at the New York Open so confidence will be overflowing in this match. Opelka must be favoured to come out on top here having proven his form has returned against a good opponent. Jung will have his say but expect the American’s title defence to continue to the semifinals.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our ATP New York Open Quarterfinal Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
