The action continues in Cagliari at the ATP Sardinia Open 2021. Quarterfinal spots are at stake with four Round of 16 clashes scheduled. We preview and predict all four matches scheduled for you.
ATP Sardinia Open Day 3 Predictions
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Jozef Kovalik
Head to head – First Meeting
Nikoloz Basilashvili has slightly gone off the form he showed in Qatar, losing in the first round in the two subsequent tournaments. The Georgian will be eager to reverse that trend and it looks possible with his Round of 16 opponent being a qualifier in Jozef Kovalik.
Kovalik did well to battle through against Sumit Nagal in an entertaining three sets of tennis. The Slovak is mighty consistent from the baseline but Basilashvili has the power to penetrate the defenses of Kovalik. Expect the Georgian to power through to the quarter finals.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 2
Aljaz Bedene vs Egor Gerasimov
Head to head – Gerasimov 1-0 Bedene
Egor Gerasimov has started off this tournament in an emphatic fashion with a dominant victory in the first round. Aljaz Bedene recovered from a set down and had to fight through in the next two sets. The Slovenian didn’t look comfortable at all and that’s not a good sign.
Gerasimov is ranked below Bedene but has looked the better player this year. His hard hitting has been consistent this year and it’ll be interesting how he fares on clay this year. Expect Gerasimov to continue his strong start here to move ahead.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 3
Liam Broady vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head to head – First Meeting
This’ll be an interesting clash. Jan-Lennard Struff will be glad he came through against Joao Sousa as his next opponent should be relatively easier to handle. Liam Broady played a superb match but it was against another qualifier and there’s quite a quality gap between Marc-Andrea Huesler and Struff. Expect the German to put up a strong performance and nab a well deserved quarter finals place.
Prediction: Struff in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Andrej Martin
Head to head – First Meeting
Andrej Martin certainly impressed in his three set win over Jiri Vesely, winning 6-4 2-6 6-1. The Slovak seemed to have gone off in the second set but it was an inspired performance in the third set. His next round assignment will be a lot tougher as he now faces Taylor Fritz, seeded second here.
Fritz’s first part of the season where he played on the hard courts was a decent one to say the least. The American had decent results throughout but was unable to go all the way in any. This tournament can change all that for Fritz as the draw is a manageable one for the American. Fritz is one of the players to look out for this clay court season and with his all court game, he should manage to get past Martin.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
