Seeds continue to tumble in Marrakech, with only three remaining as we head into Thursday’s action. Top seed and tournament favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime is still in the mix and has looked good so far this week. However, the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and David Goffin will be hoping to stop the young Canadian from clinching his second ATP title. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how things should progress on Thursday in our ATP Marrakech day 4 predictions.
ATP Marrakech Day 4 Predictions
Vit Kopriva vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: First meeting
Botic Van De Zandschulp should be the favourite here. The Dutch star has shown he has staying power on the ATP tour after bursting onto the scene at the US Open last year. By contrast, Vit Kopriva is yet to show he has what it takes to play on the tour on a regular basis. He is a talented clay court player, but not quite at the level it takes to challenge those inside the top 100. Clay isn’t Van De Zandschulp’s favourite surface, but he isn’t a slouch on the red dirt either. This match may be tighter than it looks on paper, but I expect the Dutch star to emerge the victor in the end.
Prediction: Van De Zandschulp in 2
Joao Sousa vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Head-to-head: 3 – 1 Carballes Baena
Roberto Carballes Baena has dominated this matchup from a young age and looks the favourite again here. The Spaniard has never made serious inroads into the top 100, but is a talented player on his day. Joao Sousa is an equally capable player, but is now in the twilight of his career despite a mini resurgence this year. The Spaniard is a red dirt specialist and will like his prospects here given his dominance over Sousa in the past. I expect this match to go the distance, but I think Carballes Baena edges it in a tight third set. His forehand is a big weapon on this surface and I’m not convinced Sousa has an answer for it given how he struggled against Delbonis in the last round.
Prediction: Carballes baena in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Alex Molcan
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is exactly the kind of match Auger-Aliassime has been prone to slipping up on in the past. Alex Molcan is a good player, but not in the league of the Canadian. However, until recently Auger-Aliassime hasn’t shown the ruthless consistency needed to be a top ten player. All that has changed now though. The Canadian is a top ten player and an ATP title winner after overcoming his finals yips in some style at ATP Rotterdam earlier this year. He hasn’t been brilliant on clay in recent years, but showed earlier in his career that he is more than capable on this surface. If FAA plays at his best, he wins comfortably against all but the best on the men’s tour. Somewhere around 80% should be enough here and I think he is at that level at the moment.
Predictions: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
