The quarterfinal round has arrived in what’s been a fantastic week of tennis at the ATP Marseille Open. Top seeds Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime are all in action as the final eight will fight for a place in the semifinals. As throughout the week, we will be offering up our predictions across all four matches. So, who’s marching on in France?
ATP Marseille Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Benjamin Bonzi vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-head: First meeting
It’s hard not to be excited about this one. Karatsev catapulted ahead of his Challenger Tour rivals over a year ago, and is well amongst the top players in the world now. Bonzi had a stunning year on the Challenger circuit in 2021, amassing six titles in total. His tennis so fun to watch, and he is most deserving of a first ATP quarterfinal.
Though Bonzi is yet to drop a set this week, this is a big step up in quality to his previous opponents. Karatsev’s power is relentless, especially on quick hard courts. His straight sets win over Holger Rune would’ve settled him in nicely. This match will most likely hang on who can get the upper hand quicker in the rallies, given they both possess big weapons. I think Karatsev’s experience will be telling and he’ll have enough to overpower Bonzi – but the Frenchman will push him.
Prediction: Karatsev in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Ilya Ivashka
Head-to-head: First meeting
If this encounter was taking place six months ago, then I’d have had a tougher time calling this. However, the young Canadian is simply a different player this season. The talent’s always been there, but everything in his game right now is just working beautifully. The serve is brutal, the groundstrokes are excellent, and so is everything else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on to win this title after winning his first one last week.
Ilya Ivashka was one of the most improved players of 2021, and is a very solid player who is tough to put away. If Auger-Aliassime was having an off day, then I’d be very tempted to pick Ivashka to sneak this – he never goes away and will punish anything poor. However, Auger-Aliassime hasn’t really had an off day this year – and I don’t expect it’ll come in this match. The Canadian should advance here.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Andrey Rublev v Lucas Pouille
Head-to-head: Rublev 2-0 Pouille
Rublev’s in an interesting spot in his career. While he’s capable of very consistent runs of dominant form, he’s also susceptible to getting burnt out, and this affects his tennis so much. Despite his obvious talent, some are doubting whether he has what it takes to find another level in his tennis to become genuinely competitive with the best of the game. He had to come from behind to take out Richard Gasquet in the previous round – with the exquisite Frenchman playing inspired tennis throughout.
Rublev still thrives in these tournaments, and this is a welcome match-up waiting for him. Pouille’s tennis has been hugely inconsistent over the years, and unfortunately his best tennis won’t cut it with the likes of Rublev anymore. He’s grabbed a pair of good wins this week but it’s unlikely he’ll put up much of a fight here – Rublev has never lost a set to him and he loves these conditions. Straight sets for Andrey.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Stefanos Tsitsipas continues to recover well from his elbow surgery last year. Reaching the Australian Open semifinals and the final in Rotterdam last week may just keep his doubters quiet for the time being. He was tested in the second set against Gaston in the previous round, but his quality still shines through in these situations, and he just doesn’t like losing to players he should beat even when he’s struggling.
Roman Safiullin has made a remarkable run from qualifying through to the quarterfinals – notching up notable wins along the way. He’s looked quite brilliant at times this year with some ferocious attacking tennis – and he has the potential to cause Tsitsipas trouble. Tsitsipas does have his weaknesses that can be exploited, however, I just can’t see Safiullin being able to do this enough to cause an upset. Tsitsipas is just a class above, and he should be heading through to the semifinals here.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
