The second-round matches at the ATP Croatia Open saw some upsets, as the top seed, Flavio Cobolli, and the #3 seed, Tomas Martin Etcheverry, were eliminated. This article features #2 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, as he is now the favorite to win his second ATP title. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for all the quarterfinal matches, but who will advance?
ATP Umag Quarterfinal Predictions
Camilo Ugo Carabelli vs Roman Andres Burruchaga
Head-to-Head: Carabelli 0-1 Burruchaga
Roman Andres Burruchaga defeated top seed Flavio Cobolli to get the biggest win of his career. This was Burruchaga’s first Top 10 win, and he achieved it in style, losing just six games against the Italian. He did not let Cobolli settle into the match and attacked the serve brilliantly. Camilo Ugo Carabelli came back from a set down to beat Pablo Carreno Busta. Carabelli has already lost to Burruchaga earlier this season, and based on current form, I am backing Burruchaga to win this battle once again.
Prediction: Burruchaga in 3
Matteo Arnaldi vs Damir Dzumhur
Head-to-Head: Arnaldi 1-0 Dzumhur
French Open semifinalist Matteo Arnaldi got pushed by Federico Agustin Gomez in the second round, but Arnaldi’s serve kept him ahead all the time and was crucial in this win. Arnaldi is the second-highest seed remaining in the draw and will fancy his chances to go all the way this week and win his first ATP title. Damir Dzumhur is playing well this week, but Arnaldi’s confidence on clay is super high, and he should get the win here.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3
Daniel Merida Aguilar vs Titouan Droguet
Head-to-Head: first meeting
21-year-old Daniel Merida Aguilar is into his second Tour-level quarterfinal as he played a fantastic match to upset #3 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets. The Spaniard faced just one break point in the entire match and outplayed Etcheverry from the baseline. Titouan Droguet battled past Luca Van Assche in a thrilling three-set encounter and will face Merida Aguilar for the second time at this stage of a tournament this season. The Spaniard won that battle, and I think he looks primed to repeat it.
Prediction: Merida Aguilar in 3
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Alex Molcan
Head-to-Head: first meeting
#2 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina wasn’t at his best in his opening match against Marco Trungelliti, but he got the job done. With a couple of top seeds getting eliminated, Davidovich Fokina finds himself in a great spot to win another title. Alex Molcan made an unbelievable comeback against Dino Prizmic in the second round. He was a set and a break down and was on the verge of losing the match before turning it around. He can give Davidovich Fokina a stern challenge if he plays as he did in the latter stages against Prizmic. However, the Spaniard is playing with great confidence and should win.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
