In one of the final events on the ATP calendar for 2021, we now have the last eight men remaining in St. Petersburg–featuring top two seeds Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov, alongside Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic.
ATP St. Petersburg Quarter-Final Predictions
Andrey Rublev vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: 0-0
If there was any time this year to want to play Andrey Rublev, it probably would be now, despite this event being in his home country. The Russian, coming into this match, has won just two of his last five matches–with all those losses to players ranked outside the top 25. Botic Van De Zandschulp, on the other hand, has finally started to build off his dream US Open quarterfinal run. He finds himself into the last eight here without dropping a set, including a great win over up-and-coming American Sebastian Korda. Rublev showed more signs of being the player he was earlier this year in his previous match, routing Ivashka–who’s been in good form lately, so perhaps that’s something he will build from.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: Struff 4-2
It’s somewhat mad to think Struff leads this rivalry fairly convincingly, but when you look at the matchup in detail it perhaps doesn’t. Ever since Shapovalov broke onto the scene back in 2017 it’s been a display of a player known for aggressive big-time tennis. When it comes to being on the back foot, however, it’s always lacked–and even four years on still does. Even though the Canadian won their only encounter this year, losing just four games, this will no doubt be a tighter affair indoors where Struff can deliver huge serves and play hard hitting tennis forcing the youngster to defend. It’s a hard one to call since Shapovalov hasn’t been in good form lately but I pick him out to edge this one.
Prediction: Shapovalov in 3
John Millman vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: Fritz 1-0
It’s fair to say Taylor Fritz is finally starting to put it all together. Backing up an Indian Wells semifinal with a good run here, now Australian John Millman stands in his way. With Millman you know what you’re going to get–a counterpuncher who can grind you to the ground without possessing a huge weapon of his own to go out there and take it to most players. With the American in this sort of form, Millman’s defensive play will struggle on an indoor court more than ever. Fritz should dominate and get the better of the 32-year-old, just like in their only previous ATP main draw meeting.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Roberto Bautista-Agut vs Marin Cilic
Head-to-head: Cilic 5-2
Ever since June, Marin Cilic has been somewhat closer to his old self than the last few years just highlighted with a great 1-4 down in the final set win against Olympic Silver Medalist Karen Khachanov in the last round. Bautista-Agut has been a shadow of himself all year and unfortunately for him, his results have not been improving as of late. The conditions here suit Cilic perfectly and it’s hard to see this going any other way than form of the last few months from both men.
Prediction: Cilic in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
