All the quarterfinal matches at the ATP Rotterdam are set to be played on Friday, including two stand out clashes. The first pits recent titlist Daniil Medvedev against recent titlist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The second will be a battle of the one-handed backhands between Stan Wawrinka and Denis Shapovalov. But all four matches promise their fair share of intrigue and excitement. Who will reach the last four?
Gael Monfils vs Damir Dzumhur
Dzumhur’s second of three straight losses this year came at the hands of Monfils as the Frenchman defeated him in straight sets in the first round of the Australian Open, losing just four games. But Dzumhur has overturned his slow start to the year with some impressive performances this week at the ATP Rotterdam. Despite this, however, Monfils has been the steadier of the two players in 2019. Expect him to get past Dzumhur for the second time in as many months on Friday.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Both Medvedev and Tsonga should enter into this meeting full of confidence. That is hardly surprising as both men are riding a seven-match winning streak. However, the Russian, who has compiled a 13-2 win-to-loss record so far this year has one win over Tsonga already this year. Medvedev also has the chance to make his top 15 debut when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday, if he can win his quarterfinal against Tsonga. But there is more than just a top 15 berth for the 23-year-old to play for – namely, trying to win his second ATP title on the trot.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
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Stan Wawrinka vs Denis Shapovalov
The only time previous time this pair have met competitively, at the 2018 Japan Open in Tokyo, the Canadian emerged as the winner in three sets against an out of sorts Wawrinka. Now, things look to have changed for the Swiss. In the previous round, Wawrinka ended the three-match winning streak Milos Raonic had built against him, avenging his recent Australian Open loss, to reach the ATP Rotterdam quarterfinals.
He appears to have found his range, with his play this week highlighted by his signature shot-making. That was a facet of his game that was absent for most of 2018 as he sought to repair his career after a serious injury derailed his 2017 season. Shapovalov, meanwhile, may have stunned Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the second round, but Wawrinka will be a tougher task for him to handle.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 2
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Kei Nishikori vs Marton Fucsovics
Friday’s quarterfinal will be the first meeting between these two players. So far this week, Nishikori has worn his pre-tournament favourite tag comfortably whilst the Hungarian has flown under the radar, despite building up on his runner-up finish in Sofia last week. Nishikori dropped just five games against Ernests Gulbis in Thursday’s second round. However, he looked less composed in the first round against Pierre-Hugues Herbert and the in-form Fucsovics has the power and quality to pose a real challenge.
Prediction: Fucsovics in 3
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