Quarterfinal day at the ATP Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech features Alex Molcan coming off a huge upset over top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime to secure his place in the final eight. Alongside the Slovakian, there is talented youngster Lorenzo Musetti and former top ten players Richard Gasquet and David Goffin.
ATP Marrakech Quarterfinal Predictions
Federico Coria vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: 0-0
It’s great to see Coria play the best tennis of his career around the age of 30 years old and his quest for a first title continues this week. With Gasquet you know what you’re going to get and despite being ranked 86 in the world right now, there are weeks where the Frenchman manages to put it all together. Ultimately, this is their first meeting and Coria is the definition of solid, he won’t beat himself but he also won’t go out and win the match. This is all in the hands of the 35 year old and I think he’ll deliver enough to edge it.
Prediction: Gasquet in 3
Roberto Carballes Baena vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: 1-1
Just a few weeks ago both players met on the hard courts of Miami with the Belgian winning routinely 6-2 6-3. The Spaniard coming into this week had just won two matches all year and has now won two matches this very week, both in straight sets. With Goffin just having won his 300th tour match yesterday it’s a great chance for him to make his first tour semifinal in over a year which he shouldn’t have many problems with.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
Alex Molcan vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: 0-0
A first meeting on the main tour between two guys starting to play their best tennis in recent times. Molcan is coming off a stunning win over top seed Auger-Aliassime, saving match points including one with a stunning forehand winner the Canadian couldn’t believe landed in. The big question now is if he can keep this up and back up the biggest win of his career. The Dutchman can take matters into his own hands but on the clay his game style not as effective as other surfaces. I think Molcan can grow off his huge win to make the semis by winning a fair amount of the longer rallies.
Prediction: Molcan in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: Djere 3-1
It feels like forever ago the Italian was up two sets to love against Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros last year. Since then the past 10 months has been a struggle to just win consecutive matches. Whilst the backhand is good, the rest of the game has a lot to desire. Djere in the past knows his way around the surface winning the 500 event in Rio a few years back and has already beaten Musetti twice on the dirt. Djere should be too consistent for the 20 year old.
Prediction: Djere in 3
Main Photo from Getty.