The star-studded ATP Stockholm Open has a blockbuster schedule in the quarterfinal round on Friday. Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will look to extend his perfect record in Sweden’s capital when he takes on home favorite Mikael Ymer. Elsewhere, Frances Tiafoe is facing a tricky matchup against Emil Ruusuvuori as he continues his pursuit for a first ATP title of the season. Who will reach the semifinals?
ATP Stockholm Quarterfinal Predictions
Alex De Minaur vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: De Minaur 3-1 Shapovalov
De Minaur played extremely well to contain J.J. Wolf’s explosive forehand in his second-round match. The Aussie can occasionally be a slow starter and tends to find life difficult playing catchup. That was not the case against the American who was on the ropes for most of the second set. It was understandable given Wolf’s physically-demanding week in Florence.
For De Minaur it is the perfect prep for a meeting against the power-hitting Shapovalov. The Canadian has an impressive record at this event, having been champion in 2019 and a finalist last season. But you feel this might end up being a mental battle and Shapovalov probably needs to work with a mental coach full-time. He has had some chastening losses in recent weeks. Expect the Aussie to hold a mental edge in this one.
Prediction: De Minaur in 3
Cameron Norrie vs Holger Rune
Head-to-head: Norrie 3-0 Rune
Norrie survived a real scare in his opening match at the Stockholm Open against Aslan Karatsev. The Brit recovered from going down a break in the deciding set to win in three and add to the Russian’s train wreck of a season, while simultaneously boosting his chances for Turin. Rune, for his part, is not laying down the gloves following his runner-up finish in Sofia. The young Dane knocked out Thiago Monteiro and Cristian Garin without dropping a set and improves to 8-3 on indoor hard courts in 2022. Norrie’s form in the past month has not been particularly encouraging to say the least. And he also looked short of match fitness against Karatsev. Rune might engineer a major upset on Friday.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Mikael Ymer
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 4-0 Ymer
Only the irrepressible Novak Djokovic prevented Stefanos Tsitsipas from picking up his third title of the season in Astana. But with his spot in Turin already secured, the Greek is able to loosen up and play without any additional pressure this week. And he had to be on his toes against the big-serving Maxime Cressy in his first match. Tsitsipas narrowly defeated the tall American in two tiebreaks, saving three set points in the second set. Mikael Ymer, for his part, stunned defending champion Tommy Paul with his relentless pace and speed to win 6-2 6-3. He will be hoping to merge the two when he takes on Tsitsipas. But this is a tough matchup for him. He is 0-4 against the Greek and hasn’t won a set in any of their battles. Tsitsipas is nailed-on to make the semifinals at the expense of the home favorite.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Ruusuvuori 1-0 Tiafoe
Tiafoe conjured up an incredible comeback to defeat Elias Ymer 3-6 7-6 7-6 in two hours and 39 minutes. The Swede led 6-3 4-0 at one point, but four costly forehand errors in one game proved decisive as Tiafoe gallantly clawed his way back into the match. A more consistent player like Ruusuvuori would have closed out the American in straight sets, but Ymer’s belief was wearing thin by the time he was broken twice in quick succession in the second set. Ruusuvuori, by contrast, breezed into the last eight after dismissing Jiri Lehecka 6-2 6-2. Tiafoe is clearly feeling the physical toll of a long and grueling season. His abject performance for a set and a half on Thursday is an indication he could do with an off-season right now. Ruusuvori should pounce.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
