We have an exciting quarterfinal lineup at the Stuttgart Open , with five of the top eight seeds making it through, including last year’s finalists. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 5. But who will advance to the semifinals?
ATP Stuttgart Quarterfinal Predictions
Brandon Nakashima vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Brandon Nakashima now has the most wins (40) this season, including challengers. Despite not playing in many big events, he’s improved his ranking from 134 to 70. He should now have an easier time entering tour-level events and accessing more points. Jan-Lennard Struff is continuing his good form as he won his second-round match without any fuss. Neither player has dropped a set so far, and it looks like this match will be decided in tiebreaks. I have to pick the German player on his home turf.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs James Duckworth
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Matteo Berrettini has done a whole lot of winning when he’s been healthy enough to hit the courts this year. And, guess what? He’s looking pretty healthy in Stuttgart. The two-time Stuttgart Open champion defeated Denis Shapovalov in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals for the third time in his career. Winning against a top-20 player is not a regular occurrence for James Duckworth but he did just that and upset the No.2 seed Ben Shelton in three sets. It’s the biggest win of the year for Duckworth and he has a good serve to make it competitive against Berrettini. The Italian is a different beast on grass and has a good chance to win the whole thing.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-Head: Musetti 0-2 Bublik
Clay is the best surface of Lorenzo Musetti but last year he showed that his game can be effective on grass too. Musetti has now reached back-to-back quarterfinals at the Stuttgart Open and will hope to go one better this time around. He finds himself against a very dangerous opponent in the form of Alexander Bublik, who is having his best season so far and was very impressive in his previous round. Bublik has a much better serve than Musetti and that should prove to be the difference in these fast courts.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Jack Draper
Head-to-Head: Tiafoe 1-0 Draper
Frances Tiafoe got a much-needed win against Yannick Hanfmann in his opening-round match. Tiafoe has been in poor form this season but that win will give him a lot of confidence as he tries to defend his Stuttgart title. Jack Draper is always a force to reckon with when he is healthy. He will reach a new career high ranking should he defeat Tiafoe. It’s hard to trust Tiafoe these days and Draper seems like the more stable player at the moment and should get the win.
Prediction: Draper in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
