It’s a stacked quarterfinal line-up at the ATP 500 in Hamburg with only one seed missing from the tournament at this stage. Defending champion Alexander Zverev takes on Zhizhen Zhang, while Arthur Fils and Holger Rune meet in a NextGen clash. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Hamburg Quarterfinal Predictions
Francisco Cerundolo vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: Cerundolo 1-0
Francisco Cerundolo got into a small losing streak after Roland Garros, but back on his favorite surface and he’s already playing much better. The Argentinian will never be a particularly consistent player though with excellence in smaller patches being his usual way to win. But it seems like that might be enough for Pedro Martinez given the Spaniard was struggling physically in his second-round match against Ugo Blanchet, eventually saving a match point to win.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 2
Sebastian Baez vs Luciano Darderi
Head-to-head: Baez 2-1
Sebastian Baez and Luciano Darderi have already traded a couple of matches this year with the Italian beating him on the way to the title in Cordoba, while the Argentinian got his revenge in Buenos Aires just a week later. This looks pretty open again with Baez’s fantastic Golden Swing form now long gone. But even if Darderi is having such an amazing breakthrough season, this one likely won’t be easy as even an out-of-form Baez is a quality clay operator.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Holger Rune vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0
Arthur Fils made Hamburg quarterfinals with a stunning display of 35 winners against Casper Ruud; can he get another statement win here? Holger Rune defeated him in Rome last year with a pretty convincing display, but it doesn’t feel like the Dane can rush Fils’s groundstrokes like that again. Fils likes the conditions in Hamburg and this time should be a lot more deadly on the offense as Rune will need to produce his best defensive effort.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexander Zverev is back quickly despite the German’s knee issue at Wimbledon, and while Hugo Gaston pushed him in the second round, it seems like he’s ready to try to defend his title. Zhizhen Zhang was in the semifinals last year as well and enjoys the conditions in Hamburg. He’s got that ball-striking talent to keep up with Zverev, but it’s doubtful whether he can keep himself steady enough to trouble the top seed. The title favorite will likely draw out enough errors with this defense.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
