Top seed and local favorite Cristian Garín is finally making his debut at the ATP Santiago Chile Open. The 23-year-old is vying to win his third title of the season and establish himself as a bona-fide contender for the major European events after the Sunshine Double. Which four players will complete the quarterfinal lineup?
ATP Santiago Thursday Predictions
Thiago Monteiro vs Roberto Carballés Baena
Official head to head: first meeting
Unofficial head to head: Monteiro 3-0 Carballés
These two have shared a court three times at the Challenger level, all on clay, and Monteiro emerged victorious on each occasion. Nevertheless, the Brazilian did not boast a clear superiority. All three matches were highly competitive. Carballés might be steadier, but Santiago’s altitude (1,870 ft/570m) should favor a power hitter profile like Monteiro’s. The outcome will likely come down to who is dominating more rallies with his forehand.
Prediction: Monteiro in 3
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Juan Ignacio Londero
Head to head: first meeting
The arrow is pointing up for Seyboth Wild, who is up to No. 177 in the live rankings, a stark improvement from his No. 449 position twelve months ago. And he is not due to defend double digit points for more than three months. In the round of 32, Seyboth Wild upended a solid Argentinian in Facundo Bagnis, but Londero is on a different stratosphere at the moment. Among other 2019 highlights, remember El Topo reached the round of 16 at the French Open and captured his first tour-level trophy in Córdoba. Barring a lights out performance by the 19-year-old, Londero should prevail.
Prediction: Londero in 2
Juan Pablo Varillas Patiño-Samudio vs Albert Ramos Viñolas
Head to head: first meeting
With his win over Slovakian qualifier Filip Horanski, Varillas became the first Peruvian since Luis Horna to win a tour-level match. This milestone is just another step in Varillas’ rapid rise. At this time last year, the Lima native was sitting outside the Top 350 and playing $15,000 Futures. Currently, he is well inside the Top 150. Meanwhile, Ramos had a forgettable performance in Rio, losing to promising compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in three sets. The Catalan lefty was visibly uncomfortable with the pressure to defeat the 16-year-old youngster and was unable to close the match out when he could. As well as Varillas is playing, I do not see Ramos stumbling over a similarly inexperienced rival.
Prediction: Ramos in 2
Cristian Garín vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head to head: first meeting
The prime time match will feature a pair of former junior Grand Slam champions. Garín is unquestionably the man of the hour in Chile after winning two titles and ten matches consecutively. Davidovich can rip the balls apart but lacks mental fortitude. At the ATP level, his penchant for improvisation rarely ever pays off against rock-solid baseliners. However, Garín must bring his A-game from the get-go. He won’t afford to start slow and drop the first set for the sixth time in his past eleven matches. Davidovich has zero pressure to win and that’s when a fearless player like him becomes extra dangerous.
Prediction: Garín in 3
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