The ATP Estoril Open provides players with important ranking points before the French Open starts. Not many top players opt to play the tournament which makes this week an ideal hunting ground for players looking to boost their rankings. The matches so far have been highly entertaining and it looks like that won’t change. As ever, we at LWOT preview and predict all four of Thursday’s Round of 16 matches scheduled for you.
ATP Estoril Day 4 Predictions
Hugo Dellien vs Richard Gasquet
Head to head – First Meeting
Richard Gasquet has had an okayish start to the clay-court season in 2022. The French veteran is still a formidable opponent on his day and the clay courts facilitate his defensive play to good effect. He took out a tricky opponent in Tommy Paul and will start as the favourites against Hugo Dellien. The Bolivian has done well to qualify in the clay-court tournaments he’s played so far and while he has backed up with a win this week, the Frenchman’s groundstrokes are much more consistent to nab him the win.
Prediction: Gasquet in 2
Benjamin Bonzi vs Sebastian Korda
Head to head – First Meeting
Sebastian Korda will look to have a great week here especially after his middling results in the clay court season so far. The American is yet to be classified as a top threat on this surface but the signs are there that Korda will soon become an all court threat. He takes on Benjamin Bonzi who is by no means a pushover. The Frenchman stopped the comeback trail of Dominic Thiem and his flat groundstrokes are a menace to most. Expect a thrilling match with lots of momentum swings and the American just clinching it.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Sebastian Baez vs Marin Cilic
Head to head – First Meeting
Marin Cilic is still capable of producing his Grand Slam-winning level, but the Croatian struggles to do so consistently over a week. Maybe the clay courts where the ball does not zip through will help Cilic to find his rhythm and his peak performance subsequently. Sebastian Baez is young and full of energy which is a heartening thing to see on a tennis court. The Argentine can pose plenty of problems for Cilic with his speedy play and variety. Expect a tight tussle between the two with Cilic using up all his experience to just get by.
Prediction: Cilic in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Carlos Taberner
Head to head – Auger-Aliassime 1-0 Taberner
The top seed takes to the court for the first time this week against an opponent he beat just last week in Barcelona. Carlos Taberner is a solid clay-court player already beating the likes of Lloyd Harris and Sebastian Korda this clay-court season. Their previous matchup was a three setter signalling that Felix Auger-Aliassime will not be able to dominate like he would like to. Expect another three setter between the two as the Canadian is yet to find his feet on clay but it still should be enough to get him the win.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
