Only eight players remain in contention for the 2025 Open Occitanie title. That list includes No. 1 seed Andrey Rublev, No. 2 seed Felix-Auger-Aliassime, or No. 4 seed and defending champion Alexander Bublik. Which one of these is likely to earn a comfortable win on Friday, and who do you think will struggle?
ATP Montpellier Quarterfinal Predictions
Bu Yunchaokete vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bu Yunchaokete was struggling to get his season going and the two wins here come very handy, especially as indoor conditions generally don’t tend to suit him. But these courts are slower and higher-bouncing, and he’s been able to excel against Daniel Altmaier and Constant Lestienne. But now the level of competition has gone up ten-fold. Felix Auger-Aliassime should have taken out Arthur Cazaux even quicker in the opening round if not for one random weaker service game. The Canadian is usually a force indoors, and he’ll be very dangerous here.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Alexander Bublik vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexander Bublik made history at ATP Montpellier last year, becoming the first player to win an ATP Tour title by coming back from a set down in every match (it has since been matched by Alexandre Muller this month). The Kazakh isn’t usually that determined, though, and his focus can go away at any time. Aleksandar Kovacevic seems like he’ll give him a good battle right now, he’s firing on all cylinders on these slower indoor courts with a 10-1 record under the roof this year. If he can keep serving this well, he might snatch this.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Tallon Griekspoor vs Jesper de Jong
Head-to-head: First meeting
This week started with an all-Dutch contest for Tallon Griekspoor (vs. Botic van de Zandschulp), and he gets into another one here. Jesper de Jong really needed something positive this season after losing his first three matches and while he was lucky to get through Quentin Halys via retirement, his style with a heavy forehand fits this court well. Feels like he’d need a pretty special performance here as Griekspoor kinda plays a similar game, but better and with more power.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Head-to-head: 3-3
Nikoloz Basilashvili is showing a lot of determination this year, and his level has now improved to a point where he can start thinking about returning to the Top 100. But even on a court that grants him a lot of time to unload on the ball, it’s not like the Georgian will ever reach his prime again. Making the ATP Montpellier quarterfinals is a great achievement for him already as it had been two years since he won an ATP Tour match. Andrey Rublev will likely be far too strong (and there was an injury concern for Basilashvili yesterday).
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
