As we enter the latter stages of the 2019 ATP China Open, Friday features four quarterfinal matches that all have the potential to go down to the wire. Here are my predictions for the matches.
ATP China Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Sam Querrey vs Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev was mightily impressive against Felix Auger-Aliassime, especially on serve. It was the best match the German has played in some time and it looks like we are seeing signs of the German beginning to get more confidence in his game. Sam Querrey is an inconsistent player but when he’s at his best, he is a very difficult player to beat, especially with his big serve and forehand. He recorded a impressive victory against Diego Schwartzman, so he will be full on confidence, but I reckon Zverev gets the win in straight sets.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Karen Khachanov vs Fabio Fognini
Karen Khachanov has been up and down in form since winning the Paris masters last November. He endured a difficult start to the year, but recorded his best result at a grandslam in reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. Fabio Fognini is a player who is also up and down in form, but when he’s at his best, he can produce devastating groundstrokes. This match promises to be a close one, and I see it going to three sets. It’s always difficult to predict the outcome of a match that Fognini is playing in, but I think Khachanov is the more consistent of the two and he has slightly more power on the serve.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
John Isner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
This is another match that should go to three sets, with John Isner having the biggest serve in the game. The main area of Tsitsipas’s game that he needs to improve is his return of serve, especially on the backhand side, and this is an area Isner will look to exploit. However, Tsitsipas is the better mover of the two players and will look to get the American into long exchanges from the back of the court, and I think that the Greek will get the win in three tight sets.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Andy Murray
This will undoubtedly be the toughest test for Andy Murray since his return to the tour. However, the Scot has exceeded expectations this week. Even though Thiem is the definitely the favourite, another victory isn’t out of the question for Murray. The Austrian has been up and down in form since reaching the final of Roland Garros and even though he had had success on hard courts this season, with winning the Indian Wells title, it’s not his favourite surface. Overall, I think it’s crucial for Murray to take the first set. If he goes a set down, and it becomes a physical battle, then I think Thiem will get the win. Having said that, I’m expecting a tight straight sets win for Thiem.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
