The Argentine contingent is collectively holding down the fortress at the ATP Cordoba Open. Excluding the qualifying draw, only one local (Tomas Etcheverry) has fallen at the hands of a foreigner (Albert Ramos) ahead of the quarterfinal round. And he came within a few points of victory. Will they extend their domination on Friday?
ATP Cordoba Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Jozef Kovalik vs Facundo Bagnis
Head-to-head: Bagnis 2-0 Kovalik
Both players could use a good Golden Swing to move closer to the Top 100. Jozef Kovalik’s play through two rounds has been inconsistent, alternating periods of domination with profound lapses. That will not cut it against the in-form Facundo Bagnis, who already has five wins under his belt in Cordoba. He dropped a set to Argentinian gem Thiago Tirante in his first qualifying match, but the 30-year-old has looked quite sharp since. Moreover, Bagnis won their previous meetings on clay in straights.
Prediction: Bagnis in 2
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Thiago Monteiro vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: first meeting
The younger Cerundolo brother has long been one of South America’s brightest prospects. However, he never found his mojo after the tour resumed in August. But, all of the sudden, he’s racked up five victories in Cordoba, including a pair of tremendous scalps over Thiago Seyboth Wild and Miomir Kecmanovic. Maybe he just needed opportunities to shine on home soil, like the Musettis and Alcarazs of the world are seemingly given every other week.
Juan Manuel Cerundolo’s extreme clay-court style clearly bothered Miomir Kecmanovic, whose partnership with David Nalbandian didn’t get off to a promising start. But one suspects that Monteiro will deal with the high-bouncing shots much better. The Brazilian is always a threat to go deep during Golden Swing tournaments, especially this year after leaving a good impression in Australia. Expect the seventh seed to win this duel of southpaws.
Prediction: Monteiro in 2
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Benoit Paire vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: Coria 1-0 Paire
Predicting which Benoit Paire will show up is one of the hardest tasks in the industry. His performance is usually linked to his mood, but it’s not guaranteed whatsoever. When inquired about his decision to ditch the European indoor tour in favor of the Golden Swing, the Frenchman said it was a no-brainer. Paire is enjoying the nice temperatures in Argentina and is poised for a big week at the Cordoba Open.
Federico Coria, meanwhile, dominated former college star Dominik Koepfer and then overcame a shaky start against Francisco Cerundolo to make the quarters. But we shouldn’t read too much into Coria’s win over Paire at Roland Garros last season, because the mercurial Frenchman had mentally checked out from the campaign by then.
Prediction: Paire in 3
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Diego Schwartzman vs Albert Ramos Vinolas
Head-to-head: Schwartzman 5-0 Ramos
The top seed couldn’t have started his title bid with a better performance. Diego Schwartzman, who arrived at the ATP Cordoba Open after a disappointing campaign in Melbourne, absolutely dismantled clay-specialist Marco Cecchinato, who not even two years ago had handily defeated him at the Buenos Aires final.
Meanwhile, Albert Ramos has collected back-to-back wins over Juan Londero and the aforementioned Etcheverry. Both in three sets. He’ll look to add a third versus Schwartzman, although the precedents are far from encouraging. The world #9 is a terrible matchup for the Spanish lefty due to his superb backhand and superior movement.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
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