All five remaining round of 16 matches are scheduled for day 4 at the ATP European Open 2019. The last eight bracket is going to be jam-packed but who will make their way through?
ATP European Open Day 4 Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head to head – First Meeting
Jan-Lennard Struff is still searching for his maiden tour-level trophy and on the fast indoor courts of Antwerp, he’ll be looking forward to put forth a respectable week of tennis. He’s never played the young American sensation before who has the ability to counter-punch heavy baseline hitters.
Frances Tiafoe has struggled to put up consistent results week after week and on current form, he should be looking to garner some form if he’s to contend for the ATP NextGen Finals title. However, after their respective opening round matches, with Tiafoe battling hard against qualifier against Yannick Maden and Struff blasting his way to a 6-2 6-1 win over Gregoire Barrere, the German looks slightly better poised to edge ahead and claim the victory.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Diego Schwartzman vs Marius Copil
Head to head – Schwartzman 1-0 Copil
Diego Schwartzman is seeded third at this year’s Antwerp Open and is looking at a tricky round of 16 encounter with Marius Copil. The Romanian hasn’t had a lot of success on the main tour but he’s a smart indoor hard courter. Many probably remember him as last year’s finalist in Basel where he lost to Roger Federer in straight sets.
Schwartzman would be disappointed with his performances post US Open, bowing out early in both Beijing and Shanghai. Should the Argentine progress, a potential clash with Andy Murray also looms large. Coming to this particular match, Diego would probably have to play at his very best to gain control if Copil plays like he can on this particular surface. However, Copil has shown no signs this year that he has any kind of form and with Schwartzman being a solid baseliner, it’s tough seeing Copil wrestling control of this match. Expect this match to go the distance with the Argentine’s superior physical conditioning proving to be a decisive factor.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
Gael Monfils vs Jannik Sinner
Head to head – First Meeting
Gael Monfils, now 33 years old, takes on 18-year-old Jannik Sinner in a clash of two generations of men’s tennis. Sinner is a gifted player no doubt but he’s yet to make a mark on the tour and it should be interesting to see how the Italian’s game holds up against the Frenchman.
Monfils had a great US Open 2019 but after that he hasn’t played as well as he would’ve liked. With two spots remaining for the ATP London Finals, there would be added pressure on Monfils to help his chances with a title run here. Sinner poses a challenge but if Monfils brings his best tennis, the gap in experience and baseline prowess should open up this match for the Frenchman to claim the victory.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
David Goffin vs Ugo Humbert
Head to head – First Meeting
David Goffin is another London hopeful and these 250 points can prove mightily helpful if he’s to sneak in. First up, though, is 21-year-old Ugo Humbert, who hasn’t made the most out of his fourth-round showing at Wimbledon.
Goffin is trying his level best to put his best results week after week but there’s still some way to go for the Belgian if he’s to consistently beat members of the Big Three. However, Humbert is still far off from the high pedestals of the Big Three and his only option is to not hold back on his shots. Even doing that may play into Goffin’s playbook as he’s a brilliant counterpuncher. Expect the Belgian who played so well in his loss to Federer to have a routine win here.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Andy Murray vs Pablo Cuevas
Head to head – Murray 2-0 Cuevas
The three-time Grand Slam champ is up and running in Antwerp with a not so routine win over Kimmer Coppejans, who was able to keep it interesting, especially in the second set. That being said, Murray would be looking at the end result as every victory means a lot to him and his body post-surgery.
Pablo Cuevas has lost to Murray twice but he must realize this is a different Andy Murray. If Cuevas can hold his own whenever the baseline rallies elongate, Murray is in for a tough battle. The Uruguayan didn’t lose a single point on his first serve against Hugo Dellien which won’t hold against the Brit who’s one of the finest returners the game has ever produced. Murray has the bigger serve as well enabling him to win a lot of free points which Cuevas most likely won’t have the luxury of. Expect the Brit to tough it out and make his way to the last eight.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
