The eight quarterfinalists of the ATP BMW Open in Munich have now been set in stone with six being seeded alongside a qualifier and lucky loser. Let’s see who we think will make the last four.
ATP Munich Open Quarterfinal Predictions
John Millman vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: 0-0
Casper Ruud is no doubt at the very least a top 15 player on clay at the moment if not higher and he showed exactly why in routing experienced clay courter Pablo Cuevas 6-3 6-2. Millman on the other hand has never had great results on the dirt and I’m sure if you gave him a quarterfinal showing at the start of the week he would have taken it in a heartbeat. The Australian got a tad lucky when his opponent Guido Pella in the second round had to retire despite being a set up. On this surface Ruud simply does everything better and it’s hard to see him losing this one.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Norbert Gombos
Head-to-head: 0-0
I think it’s fair to say we have no idea what Basilashvili is going to show up week in week out on the ATP Tour these days but if his first two rounds here are anything to go by, he could very well end up holding the trophy on Sunday. Lucky loser Gombos is a solid player but ultimately if the Georgian keeps up his fine run of form here he doesn’t possess the defensive skills to keep him at bay.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 2
Filip Krajinovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-head: Krajinovic 1-0
I have to say, I am quite looking forward to this. If their meeting at the Hamburg Open in 2014 is anything to go by, it could well be another three-setter! With both men ranked inside the top 50 it’s once again going to be another matchup for Jan-Lennard Struff where he’s going to have to hit through a tricky opponent who can counter his power with great defensive and counter punching tennis. Koepfer in the last round barely lost out to his fellow German and with no disrespect to him, Krajinovic is just a little bit better. I expect the Serbian to make Struff play far more than he wants and break down the backhand and get the win here.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
Ilya Ivashka vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: 0-0
The top seed against a qualifier. On paper it should be a routine win for the former two time champion but Ivashka’s form lately has been insane. After qualifying for Barcelona and barely losing to Rafael Nadal, he’s qualified here and now made the quarterfinals–winning four of the five sets he’s played 6-1, 6-2, 6-1, and 6-2. There’s no doubt the Belorussian is in some of his best form in ages and I think he might be able to push Zverev here. Getting the win however might be far too much of an ask but I’ll give him the nod to take a set.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
