The Round of 16 matches will completed on the fourth day of the ATP Rotterdam Open. Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will look to win his ninth consecutive match in 2024 against the Gael Monfils. That is one of five contests taking place, and as always, we at LWOT give predictions for all the matches. Which players do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
ATP Rotterdam Day 4 Predictions
Grigor Dimitrov vs Marton Fucsovics
Head-to-head: Dimitrov 2-2 Fucsovics
It was good for Paris Masters finalist Dimitrov to get back on track after losing the final to Ugo Humbert in Marseille. He played pretty well in the previous round to defeat Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets. Fucsovics was also in good form against his compatriot Fabian Marozsan in the opening round. The Hungarian has a pretty good overall record against Dimitrov, although the Bulgarian has won the two most recent meetings. On an indoor court, Dimitrov is likely to prevail. His recent form indoors and style of play in those conditions should have too much for Fucsovics at the ATP Rotterdam Open.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 2
Holger Rune vs Alexander Shevchenko
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0 Shevchenko
French Open quarterfinalist Rune’s win over Roman Safiullin was a very valuable one. He was not at his best, but after a difficult start to the season on and off-court, any victory is important. However, Shevchenko could be a very tricky opponent. The Kazakhstani plays his best tennis on indoor courts, as he showed by reaching a maiden ATP final on the indoor courts of Metz last year. Rune will need to deal adequately with Shevchenko’s flat-hitting. I feel this has the makings of an upset at the ATP Rotterdam Open.
Prediction: Shevchenko in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 2-1 Griekspoor
Both players got to this stage in similarly epic ways. Two-time title winner in 2023 Griekspoor saved two match points against Lorenzo Musetti, before prevailing in a final-set tiebreak. Hurkacz fended off three match points in a third set tiebreak against Tallon Griekspoor, eventually winning it 11-9 to come through. This ATP Rotterdam Open contest could come down to fine margins, but Hurkacz gets the edge. Returning is not the strongest part of Griekspoor’s game, and I feel Hurkacz is slightly more likely to create break point matches throughout the match.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Struff 1-0 Ruusuvuori
Ruusuvuori was hugely impressive in his three-set triumph against the recent Marseille champion Ugo Humbert. The Finnish No. 1 is a threat to almost anyone when he is hitting cleanly off both wings. Last year’s Madrid Masters runner-up Struff was another player who progressed to this stage by winning a final-set tiebreak, which was achieved against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The German’s powerful serve is formidable in its own right, but I am backing Ruusuvori. If he replicates most of his level against Humbert, he is likely to make the quarterfinal.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 2
Jannik Sinner vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Sinner 4-1 Monfils
Sinner returned to form immediately in his opening-round win against Botic van de Zandschulp. Can the 37-year-old veteran Monfils cause a shock? It seems unlikely. The Frenchman’s sole win against Sinner came back in 2019. Monfils remains one of the best movers on the ATP Tour, but he has understandably slowed down slightly with age. Without his utterly breathtaking athleticism of the past, it is difficult to see him causing Sinner enough problems at the ATP Rotterdam Open, although it should be a very entertaining contest regardless.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
