The Munich quarterfinals bring us a familiar face in Casper Ruud, who has excelled on the clay circuit over the last year. Home favorite Oscar Otte is still alive, and young Holger Rune has sprung the upset of the tournament over Alexander Zverev to reach his third-ever ATP quarterfinal. Meanwhile, defending champion Nikoloz Basilashvili is trying to shake off a long-lasting slump to repeat his title. But who will prevail? See our predictions below…
ATP Munich Quarterfinal Predictions
Holger Rune vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: first meeting
An interesting matchup of talented newcomers. Rune is fresh off his greatest career victory, a straight-sets win over Alexander Zverev. That looks great on paper, but one wonders whether it will over-excite the young competitor and lead to slip-ups (see Carlos Alcaraz’s immediate loss in Monte Carlo right after winning his first Masters 1000 in Miami). Ruusuvuori has risen more slowly than the talented Dane, but has compiled a stable 16-9 record on the year, though without high-level victories. Rune has struggled at times, yet when the volatilty has worked in his favor, it has produced victories over Zverev, Cristian Garin, and Aslan Karatsev. I like Rune’s potential more, but I’m afraid he could stumble mentally in youthful over-confidence. This should be a good, close match.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Oscar Otte vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: Otte 1-0 Tabilo
This is a rematch of a meeting from just a week ago. Tabilo was in the midst of a two-month slump that saw him dip back into the Challenger tour, and he was soundly beaten by Otte in Belgrade, 6-0 6-3. I might be inclined to pick the Chilean if it weren’t for that showing. Tabilo loves the clay, and he has elevated his game this tournament, moving past Cristian Garin and Hugo Gaston for this rematch. Otte himself has had a good showing, perhaps due to support from the home crowd, most recently dispatching finals hopeful Reilly Opelka. Tabilo can be hard to read, and can beat much better opponents when he’s on, but I like Otte at home and on the basis of his dominance in their last match.
Prediction: Otte in 3
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kecmanovic’s breakout season continues to roll, while Basilashvili finally gets himself on his feet again. The Serb is eminently more reliable than the Georgian at the moment, and should be able to handle the latter’s power. Recent wins over hard-hitting Felix Auger-Aliassime and Taylor Fritz demonstrate Kecmanovic’s defensive capabilities. Basilashvili can be dangerous and surprising when he’s rolling, and he is technically undefeated at this tournament (6-0), but unless their is magic in Munich I think his title defense will end here. Yet his lack of losses leads me to lend him a little credence, and to call this one in three rather than straight sets.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Casper Ruud vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Ruud 0-1 van de Zandschulp
Ruud is the tournament favorite at this point, if he wasn’t at the beginning. Van de Zandschulp can give him a run for his money, however. The Dutchman is a late bloomer, currently sitting at his career-high of #40 in the world, at the age of 26. He has slowly and steadily risen, having been 150th at this time last year, with a consistent upward trajectory over the last four years. Each player is a hard-hitter with a quiet personality, and I would expect extended rallies, with a bit more aggression from Ruud. The Norwegian was pushed to the limit by the pesky Alex Molcan in his first match, and I could see something similar happening here. But Ruud’s accomplishments on clay (six titles) and his vastly greater experience should see him through despite the H2H loss (which was on hard court).
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
