As the weekend approaches in Buenos Aires, the quarterfinal matches are set. Although the draw was quite similar from Cordoba last week, just three of the eight quarterfinalists are repeated from last week. Two of them will face off, with the Argentine and #1 seed Diego Schwartzman facing Pablo Cuevas. Another Argentine, #2 seed Guido Pella, meets compatriot Juan Ignacio Londero, giving fans three local players to cheer for. There is also a huge opportunity for either Thiago Monteiro or Pedro Sousa, as the two lowest ranked players remaining are matched up for a spot in the semifinal.
ATP Buenos Aires Quarterfinal Predictions
Dusan Lajovic vs Casper Ruud
Head to head: first meeting
Lajovic and Ruud both saw a large climb in their rankings in 2019 primarily due to excellent clay court play. Lajovic was slightly more consistent last year, as well as showing he can bring his can play up to the occasion. Ruud did make his first tour-level final in Houston, but he did have the benefit of a fairly favorable draw to get there. Lajovic made two finals last year on clay including the Monte Carlo Masters. Ruud is a solid baseline player with good groundstrokes, but Lajovic will be able to outhit him and make just enough winners to have the edge in this match.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Thiago Monteiro vs Pedro Sousa
Head to head: first meeting
Montiero has looked excellent recently, after his results here and his title at the Punta Del Este Challenger two weeks ago. The Brazilian has beaten #4 seed Borna Coric and young Spaniard Jaume Munar this week, both without dropping a set. Sousa received a lucky loser entry, and he has made the most of it by making it to the quarterfinal. In doing so he has not had to face a top-100 player this week including qualifying, where he lost his final round match to Facundo Bagnis. Not only is Montiero in the top-100, his game when locked in as it has been this year is much better than his ranking shows. Monteiro has a reasonable opportunity to reach his first ever tour-level final and his hunger and skill will take him to the semis.
Prediction: Monteiro in 2
Guido Pella vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head to head: 1-1
Guido Pella reached the Top 30 last year, but after March, his clay form was fairly average. Londero did not have the season Pella did, but showed promise on clay. His year was highlighted by a surprise title in Cordoba, where he entered as a wild card, beating Pella in the final in three sets. Londero has played good tennis this week, highlighted by his win over Laslo Djere, avenging last week’s loss. Pella has not quite adjusted to clay yet, losing his first match in Cordoba and struggled to put away Facundo Bagnis in his first match this week. Pella has not quite been shop and Londero will fight hard and expose his weaknesses and use that to his advantage to win the all-Argentine battle.
Prediction: Londero in 3
Diego Schwartzman vs Pablo Cuevas
Head to head: 1-1
The veteran Cuevas has always been, and still is, an excellent clay court player. His movement and style of play is well suited for the surface, and he has enjoyed years of success on it. Schwartzman has adapted his game well on other surfaces, but against a player like Cuevas, his fighting style and always dangerous return adapt well. Cuevas actually won more clay court matches than Schwartzman in 2019, but he did spend a large amount of time between the Challenger Tour and ATP 250 events. Schwartzman routinely faced better competition and still held his own. Schwartzman will be dealing with some fatigue from playing four matches last week and the later match last night, so Cuevas does have a chance to take advantage of a potentially sluggish Schwartzman but the Argentine should still be able to take care of business.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
Disagree with our ATP Buenos Aires Quarterfinal Predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
