Day 4 at the ATP event in Santiago promises to feature a lot of tight, exciting action in the conclusion of the round of 16. #32 Francisco Cerundolo will be the highest ranked player in action, but the matches should still be very exciting and high level.
ATP Santiago Day 4 Predictions
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 1-0 Lajovic
Cerundolo won last year in Miami when the pair faced each other in Miami last year, but on clay it should be a different story, with Lajovic being a solid favorite to prevail here. Lajovic showed some very decent level in Buenos Aires and Rio, only losing to the world #2 Carlos Alcaraz. He’s surely confident of a big run here given the draw this week in Santiago.
Prediction: Lajovic in 2
Laslo Djere vs Riccardo Bonadio
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bonadio is having an amazing week so far, finally notching his first ever ATP level win at the age of 29. Djere should be a step too far, however; the Serb is a very solid performer on this surface even if he tends to fall short against higher ranked players.
Prediction: Djere in 2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 1-1 Etcheverry
Despite the big difference in ranking, this all-Argentine matchup should be pretty even on paper, the gap in level is definitely much smaller than the rankings would suggest, especially on this surface. Cerundolo is the favorite here for sure, but he’s a small favortite and Etcheverry definitely has the ability to make an upset.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 2
Cristian Garin vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: Baez 1-0 Garin
Current form and ranking would suggest that Baez is a strong favorite here, but the gap is much closer than recent results or the current rankings would suggest. Garin is far more talented than his ranking of #100 would suggest; he has already been ranked #17, has the ability to climb back and will be playing at home to boot. We’re talking, after all, about a player with five ATP titles, all on clay and one of them here in Santiago in 2021.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports