Second-round action continues on Day 4 at the ATP Erste Bank Open in Vienna. A number of players are looking to rack up valuable points to stay in contention in the ATP Race to Turin. We predict all six of Thursday’s matches from Austria’s capital between this article and a second one featuring Alexander Zverev vs Alex De Minaur.
ATP Vienna Day 4 Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 1-0 Norrie
The buildup to this match has been dominated by the latest permutations following Hubert Hurkacz’s defeat to Andy Murray. The Pole suffered a major setback in his bid to qualify for the ATP Finals and he could be overtaken by at least two players this week. One of them is British No.1 Cameron Norrie. Norrie has been the personification of excellence in 2021. He has put together a career-best season that could culminate with a place among the eight elite at the season-ending finale.
Auger-Aliassime is no slouch of an opponent. It is still mathematically possible that he could usurp the chasing pack in the Race to Turin, but he may have left it too late. The Canadian hits with gusto and panache particularly on his forehand. Norrie has an equally – if not better – devastating forehand. But I suspect the Brit’s work ethic will be the overriding factor in the outcome of this match.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Casper Ruud vs Lorenzo Sonego
Head-to-head: Ruud 2-0 Sonego
Ruud has played a blinder of a season and naturally comes into this contest as a clear favorite, at least on paper. He has beaten Sonego in each of their previous two matches including their most recent meeting in San Diego. But Italian has a knack for upsetting the favorites. He has fond memories to draw upon from last year’s runner-up finish where he gave Novak Djokovic an absolute mauling en route. Backing Sonego to repeat his exploits is not entirely out of question and that could really spice things up in the ATP Race.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 4-1 Tiafoe
Tsitsipas was quick to treat his Wimbledon defeat to Tiafoe as a one-off. He bounced back by avenging that loss at the Tokyo Olympics. He opened up his 2021 Vienna campaign in style, saving three set points in the first set on his way to a 7-6 6-4 win over Grigor Dimitrov. Considering Tsitsipas’s superior record indoors, he looks like a solid outright winner this week. The Greek has won half of his eight career titles under the roof. While the American qualifier might be good enough to nab a set, the top seed looks well placed to advance.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
