Quarterfinal day at the ATP European Open in Antwerp will feature four high-quality matches. Four seeds have survived to reach this far, but there is potential for an upset or two on Friday. Who will reach the semifinals?
ATP Antwerp Quarterfinal Predictions
Sebastian Korda vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Korda 1-0 Nishioka
Korda is showing his typical consistency and durability that for the most part has deserted him this season. By beating Karen Khachanov, he registered his ninth win in 12 matches this autumn and is looking to end the season on a positive note. Nishioka, meanwhile, narrowly escaped the shackles of qualifier Luca Van Assche in the first round, then proceeded to defeat Jaume Munar in straight sets. Both players have hit a higher ceiling in the second half of the campaign, but Korda looks primed to maintain his near-perfect record indoors. He has beaten Nishioka in their only previous meeting in Parma last season and is more suited to the conditions in Antwerp.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 3-0 Thiem
It is not all doom and gloom for Dominic Thiem. His turbulent year could still have a chink of sunlight during this close season. He has found his mojo and offensive spark since the indoor swing returned, making the finals at the Rennes Challenger last month and the semifinal of Gijon. Things can only get better from here as the Austrian navigated his way into another quarterfinal on his debut appearance in Antwerp. But he faces a daunting task against the top-seeded Hubert Hurkacz.
The man from Warsaw dug himself out of a hole against Jack Draper, firing 22 aces before triumphing in three sets. Thiem has injected more pace in his forehand which should make for a gripping battle as he chases his first win over the Pole. Hurkacz though holds the ammunition of a big serve to bail him out of trouble. Expect the Pole to maintain his perfect record against the Austrian.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
David Goffin vs Richard Gasquet
Head-to-head: Goffin 3-1 Gasquet
Goffin is playing in Antwerp for the fifth time in his career, but he hasn’t won a title on home turf even during his peak year in 2017. A home coronation this week seems rather unlikely given the presence of high-caliber opponents. What is likely is that he might sail past Richard Gasquet here with his extra yard of pace and excellent movement. The French veteran has surprisingly found his footing in his two matches, beating the Swiss duo of Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Stricker. Goffin, however, will be in a buoyant mood following wins over Carlos Alcaraz in Astana and more recently against Diego Schwartzman.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 1-1 Evans
Fresh of a second career title in Florence, Auger-Aliassime made a strong start in his Antwerp campaign. The Canadian powerhouse was too good for French lucky loser Manuel Guinard in a display full of attacking verve and aggression. More of the same will be needed against Dan Evans. The Briton has such clarity of thought that makes him so tough to outlast in a baseline battle. He has so many shots up his sleeve and instantly makes his mind up on the best one to use. His unpredictability is what Auger-Aliassime will need to counter. The second seed is a better server, although Evans is no slouch in that department. And his net game has improved immeasurably. Teaming up with Vasek Pospisil at the Davis Cup and Jack Sock at the Laver Cup has unlocked his newest weaponry and he might need it to dismiss the British one-hander.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
