Four Round of 16 matches are scheduled at the ATP Hamburg European Open on Day 4. It promises to be an exciting display when a stylish craftsman, a couple of clay court specialists, and a powerful stroke-maker battle on center court. Who do you think will win on Thursday?
ATP Hamburg European Open Day 4 Predictions
Benoit Paire vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Head to Head: First meeting
Benoit Paire looked rather rusty on Monday against Ricardas Berankis, committing five double faults in the first set before Berankis retired due to a foot injury. Paire has been in awful form on clay, losing six of his last seven matches on this surface. His only win came against a player ranked outside the Top 200. It is obvious from his first round performance that he is some facing movement issues. But we also saw some moments of brilliance from the Frenchman on serve as well as on the forehand side.
J. P. Varillas, a 25-year-old, has the classic makings of a clay courter. He is famous on the Challenger Tour, and often goes deep into the draw. Now consider this for a stat–Varillas recently encountered the same opponent against whom Paire has a win in the his last seven matches. Varillas beat him in straight sets while Paire prevailed in three. Varillas is hot from a crushing win against Sumit Nagal in the first round, and will be raring to go all out on the court against Paire. So unless the Frenchman decides to turn back the clock and produce a classic, we will see a win for Varillas.
Prediction: Varillas in 3
Federico Delbonis vs Albert Ramos Vinolas
Head to Head: Delbonis 7-4 Ramos Vinolas
Federico Delbonis and Albert Ramos Vinolas have played a total of eleven matches against each other. Delbonis has won last three of their encounters and will be looking to extend the lead. He is looking in fine form on clay, reaching the forth round at Roland Garros. Delbonis prevailed against Chinese qualifier Zhizhen Zhang in the first round here. He looked to be in excellent form excluding the double faults and errors in the second set.
Ramos Vinolas is coming into the match with three successive defeats, including one at the hands of Delbonis. Still, he had an excellent run to the title in Estoril, where he defeated many clay court specialists. He can never be written off on clay. Expect a cracker of a contest between these two.
Prediction: Delbonis in 3
Dusan Lajovic vs Alex Molcan
Head to Head: First meeting
Dusan Lajovic is fresh from a straight-set victory over Lucas Pouille. He is looking in great shape and running well. His forehand is working well. Also, he is using his backhand beautifully to get out of tricky positions.
Alex Molcan has started to perform consistently on the Challenger Tour, and finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic in Belgrade recently. Lajovic should come on top easily unless Molcan decides to produce a miracle.
Prediction: Lajovic in 2
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Carlos Taberner
Head to Head: Carreno Busta 1-0 Taberner
Carreno Busta would be raring to go out on the clay after a miserable grass outing. He reached the Roland Garros fourth round and had an impressive clay season preceding it. He is the second seed here and the second favorite to lift the title.
Taberner usually plies his trade on the Challenger circuit. He doesn’t have much laurels to show except for a win against Feliciano Lopez in the first round. Carreno Busta should face no difficulty in facing his Spanish compatriot.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
