It has been a good week so far for Argentinian tennis so far at the ATP Cordoba Open. There have also been plenty of upsets so far, with two of the semifinalists having come through the qualifying in Cordoba. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both semifinals, but who will reach Sunday’s final in Cordoba?
ATP Cordoba Open Semifinals
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: first meeting
This will be by far the biggest match of the Juan Manuel Cerundolo’s career. Ranked world #335 he would be a very surprising finalist indeed, but he has shown great battling qualities on the clay this week. His tactics have come under some criticism from observers with his use of the moonball. However, it plays to Cerundolo’s strengths and it’s up to his opponent to find the quality required to beat it.
Federico Coria came into this tournament in really poor form and with a terrible recent record in his home country. However, he has looked sharp so far this week, claiming wins over Dominik Koepfer, Francisco Cerundolo and the second seed Benoit Paire. And he should have the patience and movement to be able to deal with Cerundolo. His extra experience and ability at this stage should see the older Argentine into the final.
Prediction: Coria in 3
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Albert Ramos Vinolas vs Facundo Bagnis
Head-to-head: Ramos Vinolas 4-0 Bagnis
Albert Ramos Vinolas arrived at the ATP Cordoba Open in dreadful form, but was excellent against the struggling Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals. Ramos Vinolas will clearly be looking at this as a huge opportunity to win a tournament, particularly because he is vastly more experienced than the other three players left in the draw.
Facundo Bagnis, however, has had an impressive weeks, negotiating the qualifying adroitly before coming through the draw in a very smooth fashion. In fact, the only set that Bagnis has lost all week was in the first round of qualifying. Eleven sets later the world #130 finds himself in his first-ever ATP semifinal.
Nonetheless, it would be a surprise if Ramos Vinolas did not have the edge here. It is sometimes difficult to refocus after a big win but Ramos Vinolas has been there and done it for a number of years now. His forehand is firing and this could be a big weapon to help the Spaniard to victory here, and he will also surely draw confidence from having beaten Bagnis in all four of their previous meetings, including at the ATP Cordoba Open last season.
Prediction: Ramos Vinolas in 2
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