The Race for the last remaining slots at the ATP Finals is gathering pace. One of the contenders is Jannik Sinner who will be desperate to rack up as many points as possible at this week’s ATP Erste Bank Open in Vienna. We predict all six of Thursday’s matches from Austria’s capital between this article and a second one featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Frances Tiafoe.
ATP Vienna Day 4 Predictions
Diego Schwartzman vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Schwartzman 2-2 Monfils
Gael Monfils deserves immense credit for turning his season around after a string of early losses. The Frenchman is definitely a momentum player and now that he is over the hump, he looks poised to end the season on a high note. But it doesn’t get easier for him in his next assignment against Diego Schwartzman.
Schwartzman defeated the 35-year-old in their 2019 semifinal showdown at this tournament. Plus, the Argentine has looked in fine fettle in recent weeks, tallying wins over the likes of Casper Ruud, Andy Murray, and Jenson Brooksby. Monfils served like a siege-gun in his first-round victory over Lorenzo Musetti. He won 92% first-serve points and did not face a single breakpoint. I envisage Schwartzman getting a lot more purchase on the ball simply because he is a quality returner. But without being overly sentimental, I think Monfils might just edge it.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Dennis Novak
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jannik Sinner curbed any fleeting possibility of complacency in his first-round match. His title wins this year have always been followed by early exits in subsequent tournaments. But he made sure there would be no such recurrence on Wednesday after his latest triumph in Antwerp. He toppled the towering Reilly Opelka in straight sets, cashing in on three of his four breakpoints. Novak on the other hand picked up just his second main draw win from six participations at his home tournament. Historically, the wild card entrant has been on the wrong end of some brutal draws in Vienna. And this looks like another slice of misfortune for the World No. 116.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Alexander Zverev vs Alex De Minaur
Head-to-head: Zverev 4-1 De Minaur
De Minaur was destined for a big season. That was until he tested positive for COVID-19 on the eve of the Tokyo Olympics. It was certainly a major setback in Australia’s bid to win a singles medal. On his return to the court, his problems deepened. He picked up one win in seven matches and failed to scale the second round at any tournament after Eastbourne up until Indian Wells.
The Aussie has since averted that mini-crisis and is back to winning ways. Zverev, for his part, was already having an exceptional season even before capturing the Gold Medal in Tokyo. He scored his 48th match win of 2021 by dismissing Filip Krajinovic 6-2 7-5 on Tuesday.
De Minaur could match Zverev in terms of strokeplay with his foot speed and penetrating forehand. But it is just too difficult to pick against the German on current form. If Zverev avoids any lapses in concentration, he should ease his way into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
