The Round of 16 action is set to finish on Thursday at the ATP Antwerp event. The 2021 European Open is gearing up for a grand finish with top seeds still in the fray with some pretty decent wild cards staking their claim as well. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all four Round of 16 matches scheduled for you.
ATP Antwerp Day 4 Predictions
Henri Laaksonen vs Brandon Nakashima
Head to head – First Meeting
Brandon Nakashima is looking strong this week. The American looked in decent touch at Indian Wells and he seems to have carried that feel to Antwerp. Nakashima is super aggressive on both wings and the fast indoor condition suit him well. Henri Laaksonen has done well to qualify and the Finn has been playing at a great level since the US Open. Expect Laaksonen to nab a set but Nakashima looks settled enough to take the match.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Lloyd Harris vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head to head – First Meeting
Lloyd Harris has had a great year as compared to Jan-Lennard Struff. The South African has notched up great wins this year and the elusive first career title shouldn’t be far away. Struff hasn’t quite played to his potential in 2021 but the tall German should still be pretty tough to put away on these courts. Expect a great match but with Struff bound to feel under confident at times, Harris should be consistent enough to progress through.
Prediction: Harris in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Marton Fucsovics
Head to head – Bautista Agut 1-0 Fucsovics
Roberto Bautista Agut has flown under the radar this year and it’s mainly because he’s failed to replicate his performance from previous years. The Spaniard is known to be extremely consistent from the baseline with flat groundstrokes skidding through courts especially on the ones here. Marton Fucsovics last won a main draw match almost two months ago and that doesn’t seem to be changing as he takes on a player who’s beaten him before in similar conditions last year. Expect Bautista Agut to make a strong start here.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
Andy Murray vs Diego Schwartzman
Head to head – First Meeting
Interestingly enough, this is their first main draw matchup against each other. Andy Murray overcame a marathon match in his first round comprising of three tiebreakers. One wonders if Murray is going to recover well from that match. Diego Schwartzman’s 2021 season so far is a par one, and post-US Open is not a period where the Argentine excels. Murray however has had great results post US Open and matchup wise has the upper hand with his better serve. Expect Murray to be slightly jaded in the beginning but as the match progresses, he should have enough in the tank to power through.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
