We’re quickly into the business end of the ATP Astana Open 2021 with five round of 16 matches scheduled on day four in Kazakhstan. The quarterfinal bracket is set to be completed on what promises to be a fantastic day of tennis and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our previews and predictions for all five matches. But who will advance?
ATP Astana Day 4 Predictions
Egor Gerasimov vs Carlos Taberner
Head-to-head: first meeting
Carlos Taberner played a good match in his first round to take out a tricky opponent in Ricardas Berankis. The Spaniard would doubtless like to hold his serve more often than he did though as he was broken three times by the Latvian. It feels like Egor Gerasimov is probably coming into this match much more confident as he’s already taken out the sixth seed Benoit Paire, the latest impressive win in what has been an excellent season for him. The Belarusian is an aggressive baseliner, with the power to hit through Taberner from the back of the court. Expect Gerasimov to have the edge here.
Prediction: Gerasimov in 2
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Kwon Soonwoo vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Kwon 1-0 Lajovic
It was as solid a performance as they come from Kwon Soonwoo in his opening match at the ATP Astana Open as he dismissed Evgeny Donskoy 6-3 6-4. Next up for him is third seed Dusan Lajovic. The Serb is at a respectable ranking of 35 but has had his fair share of troubles adapting to the faster courts post the US Open. Lajovic will be wary of Kwon who beat him in their only previous meeting, bagelling in the final set. Kwon’s game looked settled and that’s evidence enough he should be ready to combat anything Lajovic comes up with.
Prediction: Kwon in 3
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Alexander Bublik vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a cracker of a contest. Miomir Kecmanovic should be looking to bounce back after surrendering a two sets to love lead at the US Open. After a great 2020, the Serb has failed to live up to his expectations this year but still there’s time left for Kecmanovic to produce his best tennis. Alexander Bublik is perhaps not the type of player you’d wanna face if you’re out of form though. The Kazakh is extremely unorthodox in the way he plays and while he hasn’t been in top form recently either, expect him to keep Kecmanovic unsettled throughout the match.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
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James Duckworth vs Filip Krajinovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
James Duckworth put up a great showing in dispatching Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets. Filip Krajinovic though should prove to be more consistent and solid from the baseline which should give Duckworth plenty of headaches. Krajinovic hasn’t won a lot recently but this tournament looks like the right one for the Serb to get his season on track. Expect Krajinovic to struggle initially but he should find his range to get the win.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 3
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Aslan Karatsev vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: first meeting
Aslan Karatsev has kind of gone away from the limelight since his breakthrough performance at the Australian Open this year. The Russian has failed to replicate the level he showed in Melbourne consistently and that has cost him a lot of matches. Emil Ruusuvuori on the other hand didn’t have to play a full match as Benjamin Bonzi retired after the first set. Both players are extremely aggressive and it’ll be a case of who controls their error count better. Ruusuvuori is still very young and the fearless youth should nab a set before Karatsev settles in and controls the points much better.
Prediction: Karatsev in 3
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