The quarterfinals of the 2020 Vienna Open reflect the strength of the field. Beyond world number one Novak Djokovic, recent US Open champion Dominic Thiem, two-time slam finalist Kevin Anderson, former US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev, and the perpetually dangerous Grigor Dimitrov all square off for a semifinal berth.
ATP Vienna Open Day 5 Predictions Including Dominic Thiem vs Andrey Rublev
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Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head to head: 0-0
Novak Djokovic was tested by both Filip Krajinovic and Borna Coric. The first sets of those matches went to tiebreaks in which Djokovic showed his iron will and unshakable mental strength. Lorenzo Sonego needed two tiebreaks of his own to defeat Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic will be a test of another order though. The Serb, aside from being almost unbeatable in tie-breaks, is a stronger player than Hurkacz. He’s barely lost up to this point in 2020 and he’s unlikely to start now.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2.
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Kevin Anderson vs Daniil Medvedev
Head to head: 0-0
Kevin Anderson had to battle past Dennis Novak in the first round of the Vienna Open. In his next match against Pablo Correno Busta his big serving, forehand-slamming game clicked into place. Busta was not at his best, but Anderson’s ability to take the racquet out of his hand was a throwback to his runs to the US Open and Wimbledon finals in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Medvedev struggled against Vasek Pospisil and has been a shadow of himself for the last month. Anderson will have to keep his high level to defeat the talented Russian, but he goes into the match with the wind at his back.
Prediction: Anderson in 3.
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Dan Evans vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head to head: 3-1 Dimitrov
Dan Evans and Grigor Dimitrov will face off for the fifth time in the Vienna Open quarterfinals. In a duel of the single handed backhands Dimitrov has the advantage. Both men play with great variety, but Dimitrov is the better athlete and has the more powerful and consistent groundstrokes. By their respective standards Evans has had a great year and Dimitrov has been below par. In Vienna, both have been playing well but Dimitrov’s two wins over Karen Khachanov and Stefanos Tsitsipas are both some of his best all year. If Dimitrov carries the form he has already displayed into his match with Evans, he will prevail.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 2.
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Dominic Thiem vs Andrey Rublev
Head to head: 2-1
Andrey Rublev may have forgotten how to lose. Since his defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the French Open he has won the title in St. Petersburg and so far has eased his way into the quarterfinals of Vienna. Jannik Sinner retired early in his match against Rublev so the most recent barometer for Rublev’s form is his first round dismantling of Norbert Gombos. Thiem looks revivified after a post-French Open break, but as effective has his game has proven on hard courts, Rublev is a much more natural fast court player with shorter take back on his strokes and an easier time hugging the baseline. The match will be a test for both. The slight edge goes to Rublev but whoever prevails, it should be a thrilling contest.
Prediction: Rublev in 3.
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