The final eight is set at the ATP Winston-Salem Open and though the players are playing through the humidity, the quality of the tennis has been high. Some great crowds in for the evening matches as well but who will they be cheering through to the semifinals?
ATP Winston-Salem Quarterfinal Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Alcaraz is a rising star and likely the next Spanish Major champion. He is outstanding on clay already, but playing very well on hard courts as well. Marcos Giron, meanwhile, is in the middle of the best season season of his career. The American is playing well, on all surfaces, especially on the bigger stages. This isn’t a big stage, but Giron has the momentum.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: First meeting
Objectively I would say that Ruusuvuori had the bigger game from this match-up but some research has brought out that the Frenchman actually has a higher percentage hold rate on hard courts in the main draw of ATP events over the past couple of years. It has been breaking serve that has been more difficult for the mercurial French veteran. This is the reason why I still think Ruusuvuori may have the edge in this match. Also, it seemed as though Gasquet doubted his ability to go three sets with Dan Evans in the previous round so if that situation occurs here then there are doubts.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ilya Ivashka
Head-to-head: Carreno Busta 2-0 Ivashka
In ordinary circumstances, I would strongly fancy the Spaniard to continue his positive head-to-head record against Ivashka. Both victories were straightforward three-set victories in hard court Grand Slams. However, as we are getting very close to the beginning of the US Open, a tournament that Carreno Busta has had good success in, I’m concerned about his motivation here. The Spaniard has had good, useful court time now and I’m not sure he will want to play the weekend here. It is difficult to predict this match as a result. Ivashka is having a great time and will most definitely want to win this. I’m going to predict a bit of a shock result here on that basis.
Prediction: Ivashka in 2
Mikael Ymer vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Ymer 1-1 Tiafoe
Both of these players seem to be in pretty good form. Ymer is capitalising on his long-standing promise now by breaking into the top 100 and making the quarterfinals here. Tiafoe has been serving out of his skin in Winston-Salem and it is difficult to envisage Ymer breaking him if that continues to be the case. It is highly likely that this match will be a night match as well. I think this will help Tiafoe as he has been responding to and playing with and for the crowd in the evening. There may be a tiebreak in this match but I like the way Tiafoe has been playing so I will recommend the American to progress.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
