For any player, an ATP-level quarterfinal match means significant points, significant money, and a chance to boost or solidify a slot in the world rankings. Day 6 at ATP Stockholm brings a slate of four intriguing quarterfinal matches, providing players with a chance to make important moves as the 2023 moves toward a close. Here’s a look at the matches and predictions on the outcomes.
ATP Stockholm Quarterfinal Predictions
Gael Monfils vs Adrian Mannarino
Head to Head: Monfils 4-2
Veteran vs veteran, Frenchman vs Frenchman, dramatic flair vs lefty craftsman. This match carries many storylines to the opening point. Both competitors turned pro in 2004. In their nearly 20-year careers, the pair combined to win over 800 matches.
While Monfils won the last two head-to-head matches, they haven’t faced each other since 2021. Like this match, the Frenchmen contested the last two on indoor hard court. However, this is not 2021. Mannarino arrived in Stockholm as the No.2 seed and needed only two sets to get to the quarters. Monfils used a protected ranking to gain entry and needed three sets just to get to the Round of 16, but followed that up with a straight-set victory over Filip Misolic. Plan to see occasional brilliance from Monfils and steady control from Mannarino. The steady control will win out.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Tallon Griekspoor vs Pavel Kotov
Head to Head: 1-1
Pavel Kotov sits just outside the world’s top 100 with a current ranking of 109. A win at an ATP 250 quarterfinal guarantees 90 ranking points. For a player like Kotov, 90 points likely nudges him inside the top 100 and closer to guaranteed entry into some of the biggest events of 2024.
However, for Kotov to claim the 90 points, he must defeat No. 3 seed and world No. 25 Tallon Griekspoor. While Kotov wants to break into the top 100, Griekspoor holds a 13-0 record against players outside of the world top 100 this year. Griekspoor dusted off Kotov in 3 straight sets at the 2023 Australian Open in January. He will need the minimum number of sets again in Stockholm.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
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Laslo Djere vs Tomas Machac
Head to Head: First Meeting
It is always fun to pull for a Lucky Loser to make a run in any tournament. Machac took his opportunity to enter ATP Stockholm as a Lucky Loser and then blazed through former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-1 in the round of 16. Machac brings momentum, confidence, and a streak of luck to this quarterfinal matchup.
While Machac brings some magic to the match, Djere brings too much skill. The world No. 35 player will be ready for Machac. Despite a first-round loss in Shanghai, Djere has played very well against players outside of the top 100 this year. Additionally, despite a weak career record on indoor hard courts, he is a respectable 3-2 this year. Machac’s Stockholm journey is a nice story, but it will end with this match.
Prediction: Djere in 2
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Elias Ymer
Head to Head: First Meeting
Sweden’s own Elias Ymer advanced to the ATP Stockholm quarters late in the day on Thursday. Ymer knocked off Dino Prizmic in three sets to finish out the round of 16. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old Swede, the tournament directors are sending him out in the second of four quarterfinal matches on Friday.
Without much rest, Ymer will find himself across the court from Kecmanovic. The Serbian comes in both hot and rested after knocking off No. 1 seed Holger Rune on Wednesday and enjoying a day off on Thursday.
Tournament organizers wisely invited Ymer to ATP Stockholm as a wild card, and his two wins are a great story for the world No. 168. Great stories sometimes have sad endings, so will be the case for Ymer. 20 of Kecmanovic’s 22 wins this year have come in events smaller than ATP 1000 events. Expect another vs Ymer.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
