The quarterfinal round is set at the ATP 250 in Atlanta after an exciting first two rounds. While there have been a few upsets, there is plenty of strength left in the draw with four seeded players remaining including the top two seeds, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur. Fritz is also one of three Americans in the draw ,which sets up for an exciting day for the crowd to root on their countrymen who are all playing in different matches. Veteran Kei Nishikori will also be a big draw as he continues playing great tennis as he fights to come back to his previous level. Four great matches should be in store, all of which we preview.
ATP Atlanta Quarterfinal Predictions
Alex de Minaur vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: 3-1 de Minaur
De Minaur has won their last three meetings, though two of those were on clay and all three of them went the distance. Humbert has had a decent year with two Challenger titles, though both of those were on clay. He has had great results at that level but has not had the tour-level success expected of him after a good 2022 season. De Minaur will be happy to return to hard courts where he won his lone title of the season in Acapulco. Humbert is talented on hard with a strong lefty forehand which he will have to try and hit past de Minaur’s excellent speed and defense from the baseline. De Minaur is a bit more comfortable on hard courts, and while Humbert does have power, he does not have quite enough to hit past one of the better defensive players on tour, which will be the edge de Minaur needs to progress to the semifinal.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Christopher Eubanks vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: 4-2 Vukic
These players are quite familiar with each other, facing off for the fifth time in 2023 alone. Vukic has won their last three meetings, though all of their meetings this year have been close with three of the four matches going to a deciding third set. Eubanks is on fire right now, winning 11 of his last 12 matches, including his maiden title in Mallorca, as well as a great run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Vukic is hoping to get back on track after a tough grass court season but has fared well in Atlanta and scored a tight win over #4 seed Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round. Form is always huge in tennis and Eubanks is in top form currently and is also playing in his hometown event where he was born and raised. Eubanks is in form and will have the full crowd behind him and will use his power to continue his winning ways.
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
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J.J. Wolf vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: first meeting
Koepfer and Wolf provide an interesting matchup clash coming into the match. Wolf loves hard court and had his career-best result on hard at this year’s Australian Open. Koepfer plays his best tennis on clay though he has fared decently well on hard courts in the past. Koepfer is a lefty veteran while Wolf is younger and has had less time on tour after playing on the US collegiate circuit. Coming into the quarterfinal, Koepfer has had to battle spending almost five hours on court in two three setters, while Wolf has won all four of his sets in Atlanta, spending under three hours on court. Wolf’s baseline game and movement make him a real threat in any hard court match, and his youth, rest, comfort with the surface, and home crowd advantage have all signs pointing in his direction to make the semis.
Prediction: Wolf in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Kei Nishikori
Head-to-head: 3-0 Nishikori
While Nishikori has won all of their prior matches, they last played in 2019 when Fritz was still up-and-coming and Nishikori was closer to his peak as a Top 10 player. Both players are enjoying being on their best surface and have combined won all six sets they have played in Atlanta. Playing in the second day of round two matches will hurt Nishikori, who has fought through a variety of injuries so the shorter rest certainly plays into Fritz’s favor. Nishikori has played well with a Challenger title last month but is not yet at the point where he is regularly competing with players of Fritz’s caliber. Fritz has a big serve and forehand, which can neutralize Nishikori’s great defense, and Nishikori currently does not have the tools to get past a player with the weapons of Fritz.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
