With the Australian Open looming large on the horizon, there should be plenty of motivation for the eight players still standing at the ATP Auckland Classic. As always, we here at LWOT are predicting every match on the slate in New Zealand, as well as quarterfinal matchups in Adelaide and Hobart. But who will advance?
ATP Auckland Quarterfinal Predictions
Alexandre Muller vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players won their two first matches in straight sets, though it was Alexandre Muller who achieved arguably the more impressive win. Muller, the world #79, stunned third seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 6-1 in the second round. The Frenchman made his first ATP final last year in Marrakech, while Taro Daniel hasn’t reached an ATP final since 2018. At his best, Daniel can break down opponents in rallies and possesses one of the most underrated backhands in the game. However, Muller is on a hot streak, and his aggression on the court could give him the edge in this one.
Prediction: Muller in 3
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Arthur Fils vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: Altmaier 1-0 Fils
Altmaier tends to struggle on the hard courts, but he picked up a big win over former World No. 6 Felix Auger-Alliasime on Wednesday. On the other hand, Fils looked solid in his first two matches, but he had to go through a lower-ranked clay court specialist Nuno Borges and the declining Richard Gasquet.
The pair’s last meeting came quite recently, at the Masters 1000 event in Paris. Altmaier won that match 6-2 6-4, shutting down Fils’ home fans. That momentum could make Altmaier the favorite, yet Fils has youthful confidence that will surely make him hungry for revenge. I’d argue this matchup could go either way, with Fils using his offensive game to take advantage in the big moments.
Prediction: Fils in 3
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Cameron Norrie vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: first meeting
For Cameron Norrie, this has been a great week for the Briton to reclaim confidence in singles matches. Norrie’s last ATP semifinal came in Lyon last May, with his form suffering a remarkable nosedive after that tournament. Meanwhile, the qualifier Alejandro Tabilo is having one of the best weeks of his ATP career but is yet to take on a top player this tournament. The Chilean has been playing great in ATP Challenger tournaments as of late, so don’t completely rule out a big surprise, but Norrie should ultimately be too solid in familiar surroundings.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
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Ben Shelton vs Roberto Carballés Baena
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ben Shelton has established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the ATP tour and will now be looking to supplant Taylor Fritz as the best of the Americans. After the American clinched his first ATP title in Tokyo last year, the draw has given him a great opportunity to win win his second. Roberto Carballes Baena will get plenty of balls back in play and look to push his opponent behind the baseline with his heavy topspin, but he is far more comfortable on the clay. Shelton will have to serve big and step inside the baseline to take advantage of rallies. In the end, Shelton’s confidence should allow him to breeze into the semifinals.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
