Bastad, Sweden, home of the ATP 250 Nordea Open, has one of the highest approval ratings from players on tour. Because of this, some of the best players in the world flock to this tournament, setting up a very intriguing quarterfinal Friday. Dominic Thiem is looking to rise back into the World’s top 150 with a title in Bastad, but has to first get past young Argentine Sebastian Baez. We have the prediction for that match and more around the grounds of the Nordea Open.
ATP Bastad Quarterfinal Predictions
Diego Schwartzman vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Head-to-Head: Carreno Busta 3-1 Schwartzman
After both suffering early exits at the All-England Club, Diego Schwartzman and Pablo Carreno Busta are looking to get back on track on a more inviting surface. Schwartzman once again proved to be one of the more consistent clay courters on tour during the early part of 2022. Carreno Busta, on the other hand, has been plagued by inconsistencies all year. With that said, the Spaniard picked up solid wins over Stan Wawrinka and Albert Ramos Vinolas earlier this week. Although Carreno Busta has dominated this head-to-head, including a semifinal win in Barcelona early this year, I trust the consistency of Schwartzman to win out.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 2
Francisco Cerundolo vs Aslan Karatsev
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Although he did make a dream run to the semifinals in Miami earlier this year, Francisco Cerundolo prides himself on a specialty for the clay. Six of his seven career professional titles have come on the clay. Aslan Karatsev, on the other hand, holds just a 3-6 clay court record this season. Although his wins over Lorenzo Sonego and Hugo Gaston this week were impressive, I do not think he has the consistency to keep up with the Argentine on this surface.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-Head: first tour meeting
After being unable to compete at Wimbledon this year, I expect Andrey Rublev to come out with a fiery passion during the second half of 2022. In his first match in a month, the #2 seed suffered a three-set scare against Federico Coria. With the rust now knocked off, I see him as the favorite to rise the title in Bastad. Laslo Djere is certainly no walkover, especially on the clay. I just see Rublev’s forehand being too much in the end for the Serbian.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Dominic Thiem vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Former World #3 Dominic Thiem seems to be slowly but surely starting to regain some form. After losing his first seven matches since his return from injury, Thiem has won three out of his last four. A three-set win in Round 2 over Roberto Bautista Agut proves that Thiem is fit and ready to compete with the best in the world. His fitness will once again be tested against 21-year-old Sebastian Baez. The Argentine was ranked #312 in the world just 17 months ago. His rise has been immense, rapid, and mostly due to his success on the dirt. Baez is 25-9 on the clay this season. This is his fifth clay-court quarterfinal of 2022 as he hunts for his second title. If Thiem wins this match, he will certainly have earned it. I think the Austrian is a few more weeks away from being able to string together high-level, grueling wins.
Prediction: Baez in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
