Only eight men remain in contention for the trophy here at the ATP Astana Open. Seeds have tumbled out of the draw in Kazakhstan quickly, with three of the top four seeds having crashed out already. The draw is wide open as a result and realistically everyone still standing could win it. As ever, we here at LWOT preview and predict all four quarterfinals, but who will come out on top?
ATP Astana Quarterfinals Predictions
James Duckworth vs John Millman
Head-to-head: first meeting
The battle between the two Aussies should be a fun one. James Duckworth is the lower ranked player among the two but has looked the more assured out of the two this week. John Millman has struggled in both his matches and has had to fight extremely hard to get to this stage. Expect a gruelling encounter between these two with Millman putting up a valiant fight but Duckworth looks settled enough to progress through.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
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Alexander Bublik vs Carlos Taberner
Head-to-head: first meeting
Carlos Taberner has certainly punched above his weight this week and will need to do so once again when he takes on Alexander Bublik. The Spaniard took the win against Egor Gerasimov in a tight three setter that could’ve gone to any player. Bublik needed three sets as well to close out his match which makes the Kazakh the highest seed left in the draw. Taberner has played well this week but it’s unlikely he’s beaten anyone as unorthodox as Bublik and that too on a pretty quick court. Bublik should move on serving well throughout the match.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
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Ilya Ivashka vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ivashka 2-0 Ruusuvuori
Both players have looked solid so far at the ATP Astana Open, but their head-to-head is telling. These two have met twice this year and Ilya Ivashka has won both those matches quite easily. Emil Ruusuvuori will be hoping that a repeat performance doesn’t happen and the Finn looks solid this week to ensure that. Ruusuvuori took out the top seed Aslan Karatsev in straight sets and is a real dangerous player on his day. Expect a high octane clash this time unlike their previous encounters but nothing suggests as to why Ivashka shouldn’t keep the head to head record intact.
Prediction: Ivashka in 3
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Laslo Djere vs Kwon Soonwoo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kwon Soonwoo has looked like a player on a mission and the results have been impressive. The 23-year-old South Korean has gone from strength to strength this week and it looks like it will take a lot to stop him this week. Laslo Djere, meanwhile, plays his best on clay, but his consistency makes him a tough opponent on any surface. That being said, the Serb has struggled in both his matches so far at the ATP Astana Open and one feels Kwon won’t be as generous in forgiving his mistakes. Expect Kwon to put up another solid performance and move on to the semifinals.
Prediction: Kwon in 3
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