The quarterfinals at the ATP Rio Open are set, and some unexpected names have emerged. This has not been a good week for the seeded players, but the top seed, Alexander Zverev and defending champion, Sebastian Baez, remain in the draw. As always, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for all the quarterfinal encounters. But which four players will advance to the semifinals?
ATP Rio Quarterfinal Predictions
Sebastian Baez vs Chun-Hsin Tseng
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Sebastian Baez defeated Mariano Navone in the second round to get to the Rio Open quarterfinals for the third time in a row. It was a fantastic victory by the defending champion who will head into the quarterfinals as the overwhelming favourite against Chun Hsin-Tseng, who defeated the last Brazilian hope Thiago Monteiro in the second round. Tseng’s first serve has been great all week and he will require it once again to get some cheap points against Baez. However. the Argentinian has the advantage from the baseline which is huge on a clay court.
Prediction: Baez in 3
Jaime Faria vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Head-to-Head: first meeting
A quarterfinal match between two lucky losers is not very common and both these players have made the most out of the second chance. Jaime Faria defeated the in-form Jaume Munar to get the biggest win of his career. He is demonstrating why he is touted as the next big thing for Portuguese tennis and has a great chance to make the semifinals. Camilo Ugo Carabelli backed the biggest win of his career by beating Damir Dzumhur in straight sets. This is the first tour-level quarterfinal for both players but Faria has more firepower in his game and should win.
Prediction: Faria in 3
Francisco Cerundolo vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-Head: Cerindolo 0-1 Muller
Francisco Cerundolo made it difficult for himself after he let the lead slip in the first set. But he bounced back after that to make his third Rio Open quarterfinals in four appearances. The Argentinian did not play his best match but will be pleased to get the win. Alexandre Muller came back from a break behind in both sets to win a thrilling match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round. Muller is playing the best tennis of his life this season. He is playing brave tennis and the constant change of direction from the baseline is helping him immensely. Muller won comfortably the last time these two faced, but this should be a lot closer on clay.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Francisco Comesana
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Alexander Zverev has been a little fortunate this week to reach the quarterfinals without dropping a set. His opponents have not taken advantage of his poor level. The good thing for Zverev is that he has lots of room for improvement and should improve in the next match. Francisco Comesana got a big victory over Nicolas Jarry in a marathon match. Comesana lost more overall points than Jarry in the match but won the ones which counted the most. He has the potential to trouble Zverev if he can serve as well as he has all week and keep the scoreboard close. I expect the world No.2 to raise his level but won’t be surprised if this gets ugly for him.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
