Thursday’s quarterfinal lineup in Kitzbuhel features an interesting array of matches, with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure. Who will move on to the semifinals? Here are our thoughts.
Kitzbuhel Quarterfinal Predictions
Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs Jeremy Chardy
Chardy will play the Spaniard after ousting the second seed Dusan Lajovic in the second round on Wednesday. Of the three matches these two have played before, Ramos-Vinolas leads their head-to-head 2-1 but it was the Frenchman who won their most recent match – in the second round of the 2019 Madrid Open – in three sets. Will this be enough to give the 32-year-old an edge over his younger rival? It could be but Ramos-Vinolas who has been climbing through the ranks will not go down without a fight, irrespective of how the match turns out.
Prediction: Ramos-Vinolas in 3
Fernando Verdasco vs Lorenzo Sonego
The Spanish third seed needed to save three set points in the second set tie-break before ending the run of Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik. On the other hand, the seventh-seeded Sonego came back from the brink of defeat in the third set after trailing Roberto Carballes Baena 2-5.
With their respective thrillers behind them, the two will face-off for the second time on the Tour when they meet in the quarter-finals here in the Austrian city. Verdasco won their past encounter, at the 2018 Swedish Open in Bastad. A lot has changed for both players since then, with the Italian holding the advantage over his rival of the day. Patience will be key in the match and Sonego looks like he has ample amounts of patience to wear down his opponent, regardless of how good he may be on the surface.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Casper Ruud vs Pablo Cuevas
This will be the first meeting between these two players, and on paper, it’s the Uruguayan who enters the match as the favourite. Cuevas’ style of play will trouble Ruud who defeated German qualifier Matthias Bachinger in the second round on Wednesday. It will also be a test of mettle for the youngster to see if he can breakdown his opponent’s game plan and force him out of his comfort zone. Will that be enough for Ruud to eke out a win though? Thursday cannot come soon enough for us to find out.
Prediction: Cuevas in 2
Dominic Thiem vs Pablo Andujar
Thiem somehow always struggles in tournaments near his home. He has never won this tournament, and hasn’t reached the final since 2014. That’s a streak that has to end. Andujar is a solid player and good on clay, but he’s not in Thiem’s league. As long as Thiem can keep his emotions and game in check, he should win easily.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
Main Photo from Getty
Disagree with our ATP Kitzbuhel Quarterfinal predictions? As always, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.
