The ATP event in Bastad has reached the quarterfinal stage. The draw remains filled with big names in the sport, such as two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud. Can the Norwegian win again to banish the memories of his disappointing Wimbledon? As always at LWOT, we’ve tried to predict all the results of all these exciting quarterfinals.
ATP Bastad Quarterfinals Predictions
Lorenzo Musetti vs Filip Misolic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Musetti survived an almighty scare in the previous round, only defeating compatriot Matteo Arnaldi in a final-set tiebreak. The #3 seed cannot afford to make the number of unforced errors he did in the previous round. Misolic’s game is built on consistency from the baseline to grind down his opponents, and he is well placed to punish the Italian if he is wayward once again. I will still back Musetti to win. He should be able to overwhelm the Austrian with his firepower if he performs even close to his best. Misolic has had a great tournament as a qualifier, but this will be too great a challenge for the 21-year-old.
Prediction: Musetti in 2
Francisco Cerundolo vs Federico Coria
Head-to-head: Coria 3-1 Cerundolo
The elder Argentine Coria is something of an enigma. Before this tournament began, he had lost 11 of his 15 matches this season on the ATP tour, but all four of those wins came in Cordoba where he reached the final. Coria beat Cerundolo on his run to the final in Cordoba, although the younger Argentine did have to retire with injury in the second set after losing the first. The talented and powerful #20 in the world Cerundolo should still back himself to win. Coria is currently #113 in the world, but Cerundolo’s negative head-to-head record may create a slight mental block. I think a fully fit and relatively firing Cerundolo will have enough power with his forehand predominantly to beat his compatriot, but it is likely be a competitive match.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
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Casper Ruud vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ruud will be relieved to be back on his favoured clay courts, but this could be a tricky match. Ofner reached a career high ranking after winning the Challenger event in Salzburg last week, and then upset French Open quarterfinalist Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round in Bastad. He is playing without any fear and I expect him to keep playing aggressively to try and create an upset here. Ruud has also suffered a number of upsets this season including on clay, but historically the post-Wimbledon clay court swing is where he thrives the most. I think Ruud will win, but he may experience some trouble along the way.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Andrey Rublev
Head-to-head: Zverev 5-1 Rublev
Zverev has been in the news for issues unrelated to tennis but that did not hinder him in the previous round. The German was phenomenal in his match against Thiago Monteiro, even if the Brazilian produced a pretty woeful performance. Nonetheless the way Zverev struck the ball was reminiscent of his best tennis before his injury at the French Open last year. Rublev looked more rusty on clay in his last match but managed to battle through. At his best Zverev’s game on clay is the more complete and matches up well against the style of Rublev. That would make him the favourite, but his level has fluctuated so much since his injury it is hard to make a clear judgement. Zverev impressed so much in the last round that I am predicting he will find enough of that form to get another win, but I am not ruling out the chances of the always dangerous Rublev.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
