The quarterfinals of the ATP Nur-Sultan are here! It’s been an electrifying week of tennis so far in Nur-Sultan and the stakes are raised as we reach the quarterfinals of the tournament. Who will book their spots into the final four and who will fall short? Read on to find out!
ATP Nur-Sultan Quarterfinal Predictions
Tommy Paul vs John Millman
Head to Head: never played
Tommy Paul comfortably beat Radu Albot to reach the quarterfinals. Paul has been playing with good controlled aggression from the baseline, not dropping a set so far in the tournament. John Millman did not have any issues in his straight sets win over Fernando Verdasco to book a spot in the quarters. Millman’s rally tolerance from the baseline is so hard to hit through.
These two have never played before. This match will come down to whether or not Paul has the controlled aggression to consistently take command of the baseline without spraying a bunch of unforced errors. Ultimately, I think that Millman’s game is too sturdy from the backcourt. Expect Millman to move on to the semifinals.
Prediction: Millman in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head to Head: never played
Adrian Mannarino had a very strong start to his tournament in Nur-Sultan. Mannarino took out Yuichi Sugita in a dominant victory 6-1, 6-1. Mackenzie McDonald had to recover from a set deficit to beat Andreas Seppi. McDonald broke Seppi’s serve six times during the match.
These two have never played before. I’m a bit surprised McDonald isn’t serving better, as he was broken four times against Seppi. He has to really be dominant on serve to compete with Mannarino’s crafty, lefty game on indoor hard. And given how he served against Seppi and how Mannarino destroyed Sugita, things are not looking good for the American. Mannarino advances.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Mikhail Kukushkin vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head to Head: never played
Mikhail Kukushkin recovered from being down a set and a break to Benoit Paire before recovering to win in three sets. It’s the second match in a row Kukushkin lost the first set in a tiebreak and then came back to win. Emil Ruusuvuori did very well to come back from down a break in the third set against Jordan Thompson to win. Ruusuvuori was able to show the controlled aggression needed to beat a consistent baseline player like Thompson.
These two have never played before. Ruusuvuori has the edge with power, but Kukushkin’s flat game works well on indoor hard and he has the comfort of playing in his home country. Kukushkin has the edge in experience and I think, as of right now, is a little craftier with a touch more variety. Kukushkin moves on in a close one.
Prediction: Kukushkin in 3
Egor Gerasimov vs Frances Tiafoe
Head to Head: never played
Egor Gerasimov has been playing excellent tennis. It has not been an easy draw for Gerasimov, but he’s been able to get past both Lloyd Harris and Jiri Vesely in three sets. Frances Tiafoe is also in good form. Tiafoe has not dropped a set this tournament and comfortably beat Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.
These two have never played before. Both players like to take command of the baseline and control points. At this pint, while Tiafoe has played excellent tennis to get to this point, I trust Gerasimov’s serve and ability to take control of rallies a little more. Gerasimov wins a tight match.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
