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ATP Rio de Janeiro: Quarterfinal Predictions

By Nate Slaymaker

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ATP Rio de Janeiro: Quarterfinal Predictions

When Rafael Nadal secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the ATP Rio Open with a straight sets victory over Pablo Carrena-Busta, the quarterfinal matches were set. Nadal is the reigning champion in Rio and is looking sharp in the quest to defend his title.

Many clay court specialists remain and are looking for invaluable wins and rankings points in this clay court South American swing. The eight remaining players are made up of perennial favorites, veterans presences, red dirt specialists, and a hometown favorite.

Find Friday’s schedule of play here.

Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. David Ferrer (ESP)

Both Monaco and Ferrer have benefitted in the tournament from an early retirement by one of their opponents. They should be fresh when they take the court on Friday. It is surprising to discover that in their seven career meetings, Monaco holds the 4-3 advantage. The two veterans have not faced off since 2011.

The eight remaining players are made up of perennial favorites, veterans presences, red dirt specialists, and a hometown favorite.

Monaco has weapons and agility to give Ferrer trouble. His experience will allow him to come in with a strategy and adapt when necessary. Monaco needs to have his shots working as the only thing that will defeat the beast that is Ferrer are well-placed winners.

Ferrer is playing well. His return is in vintage form and his fight is strong, as always. Ferrer has always been the “forgotten Spaniard,” playing the the shadow of the King of Clay, but it seems that the tennis world has let him go unnoticed to a greater extent this year. Ferrer is just the better player and should right the ship when he renews this rivalry.

Prediction: Ferrer

Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) vs. Joao Souza (BRA)

This is the surprise section of the draw. Haider-Maurer took out the very dangerous three seed Tommy Robredo in convincing fashion. The Austrian reaches his second quarterfinal of the young season, having duplicated his results from Chennai earlier in the year. He faces the daunting task of taking on the hometown favorite.

Souza resides in Rio de Janeiro and embodies the festive nature of the the great city. Ranked No.88 in the world, the quarterfinal showing in the 500-level tournament is one of the best results of his career. To be able to achieve it in front of his home crowd is all the more rewarding.

It is no accident that Souza had come this far. His game is well suited for clay and his section of the draw opened up with both Robredo and No.5 seed Leonardo Mayer bowing out early. Souza played an epic three set match to reach the quarters, defeating Blaz Rola. While he will have immense crowd support, the drain of that match will get to him.

Prediction: Haider-Maurer

Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Federico Delbonis (ARG)

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No.4 seed Fognini had a difficult draw. He dispatched Jiri Vesely in a tough three set match in the first round and took care of the crafty Pablo Andujar in the second round. You never know what you’re going to get with the dramatic Italian. At times in his career, his unconventional play has given trouble to the very best players in the game. Then there are times when he seems like he doesn’t even want to be on the court.

Coming into this tournament, Delbonis had yet to win a match on the main tour in 2015. His game is suited well for the clay courts of Rio. After splitting two tiebreak sets, his countryman Diego Schwartzman was forced to retire against him in the third. In his second match, Delbonis easily used his comfort on clay to slide right over No.8 seed Martin Klizan, giving up only three games.

This match is on Fognini’s racket. He should have the desire and mental fortitude to overcome the Argentine journeyman.

Prediction: Fognini

Pablo Cuevas (URU) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP)

In the only section where the seeds came through Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas takes on defending champion Nadal. Both players have faced two formidable opponents. Cuevas drew Nicolas Almagro in the first round and overcame the dangerous former top 10 player in three sets. Cuevas then outdueled another Spaniard in Albert Montanes. His third Spaniard in a row will be the most daunting.

Coming into the tournament, there were questions about Nadal’s physical health. Experts opined that it was imperative for Nadal to be successful in this tournament. Nadal has answered all those questions with flying colors. He has breezed his way into the quarterfinals against decent competition. No.64 Brazilian Tomas Belluci was not match for Rafa and he just as easily overcame No.55 Pablo Carreno-Busta. Cuevas is a step above those two opponents, but expect Nadal to be prepared.

Nadal and Cuevas have never played. Nadal is out to prove his dominance on clay is still in force. Cuevas is a good player, but does not have the tools to give Nadal reason to worry.

Prediction: Nadal

Next: Top 10 Servers in Tennis Today

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