Carlos Alcaraz and Cameron Norrie are the top two seeds at the ATP IEB+ Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. Last year, they met in the final of this event and they’ll be looking for a repeat of that encounter. Both of them kick off their 2024 campaigns on Thursday – Alcaraz against Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Norrie takes on Federico Coria. Who do you think will make the quarterfinals?
ATP Buenos Aires Day 4 Predictions
Sebastian Baez vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: 1-1
These two played each other just five days ago in the Cordoba semifinals with Luciano Darderi getting through that match and grabbing his first ATP Tour title a match later. The Italian handled the quick switch to sea-level conditions admirably and demolished Mariano Navone on Tuesday. In Cordoba, he was able to keep pushing Baez behind with that heavy forehand and not let him attack freely. If he can keep hitting these 220+ kph serves and has enough energy left, he might pull this off again.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Andrea Vavassori vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: First meeting
Andrea Vavassori is enjoying a sneaky great start to his season with an 8-2 record. 6 wins and 1 loss have come in qualifying, but that’s bound to make the Italian feel good about himself at the moment. He’s been fending off his opposition quite easily in Buenos Aires as well, mixing up his net approaches with the slice grinding. Is Laslo Djere a player who can fall into this trap? Perhaps Vavassori can make this a drag, but the Serbian should be the competitor with more to say off the ground.
Prediction: Djere in 3
Federico Coria vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: Norrie 1-0
Cameron Norrie played Buenos Aires last year and ended up losing in the final to Carlos Alcaraz, despite a few tough matches early on. We’ll see how quickly he adapts this time, but at least in theory it should be slightly easier. Federico Coria is no slouch though and the Argentinian has been putting in strong performances the past two weeks to really help his ranking situation. Norrie doesn’t seem like an ideal matchup for him, he won’t be able to rely on his strong counter-punching as much.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Head-to-head: First meeting
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion and went 25-3 on clay last year. Nothing less than a title will be satisfying for him and at least for now, he gets an opponent who’s in-form but doesn’t seem that threatening. Ugo Carabelli won a Challenger in Piracicaba just two weeks ago and saved three match points against Hugo Dellien in the qualifying. That’s now eight victories in a row for him, but he’d need to be trusting his forehand a lot more than usual to pose a threat to Alcaraz here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
