The quarterfinals of the ATP Hong Kong Open, an active tournament for the first time since 2002, will get underway, and top seed Andrey Rublev remains in contention to start his season with a trophy. Here is your look at all four quarterfinal matches.
Andrey Rublev vs Arthur Fils
Andrey Rublev has won over 50 matches for three consecutive seasons and filled his trophy case with two titles and four more finalist trophies last season, his first match in Hong Kong after a four match losing streak to end the ATP season came against qualifier Liam Broady. Broady kept it close but Rublev was the reliable hand in the key moments and won in two competitive sets. Frenchman Arthur Fils is at a career high ranking as a ATP Next Gen superstar and already has two wins this year after 27 tour level wins last season. This is the first meeting between these two Europeans, Rublev’s record speaks for itself and he should figure out a way to win. Rublev in 2 sets
Frances Tiafoe vs Juncheng Shang
In two meetings on hard courts last year, Tiafoe was the victor, Shang should have some local support and edged his first and second round opponents already in nip and tuck third set tiebreaks, Tiafoe is coming off a career best year though and on hard courts is one of the toughest opponents to face. Shang’s run should finally end here as Tiafoe has more weapons in his arsenal. Tiafoe in 2 sets
Sebastian Ofner vs Roberto Bautista Agut
Sebastian Ofner went the distance and slipped past J.L. Struff in a third set tiebreak to reach the quarterfinals, coming off what is by far a career best year for the veteran Austrian in 2023, Ofner has begun 2024 in a great vein of form. Former top 10 player Roberto Bautista Agut had his fewest ATP level wins in any season over the last decade in 2023, he won both of his matches in Hong Kong in straight sets though and could be experiencing a resurgence in form. It would be somewhat of an upset, but the experienced Bautista Agut has looked better in his two matches and I’ll back him to edge Ofner. Bautista Agut in 3 sets
Pavel Kotov vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Emil Ruusuvuori is 2-0 against Kotov in his career, Kotov had 18 tour level wins last season and already has two wins in Hong Kong without dropping a set. Ruusuvuori had 28 tour level wins last season, he upset Karen Khachanov in the previous round and won both his Hong Kong matches over three sets. Fatigue may become a factor in this match that looks somewhat evenly matched, Kotov has spent less time on court and that may be the advantage he needs. Kotov in 3 sets
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
