After a shocking struggle between the most productive male Belgian tennis participant of the previous decade, David Goffin, and the way forward for Belgian tennis, Gilles Arnaud Bailly, the 31-year-old will probably be again in motion Thursday on the ATP European Open in Antwerp. As at all times, we right here at LWOT will preview and expect each and every tournament. Who do you assume will win?
ATP Antwerp Day 4 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: Khachanov 1-1 Korda
After a fantastic run to the US Open semifinals and a go back to the Top 20, Khachanov will probably be having a look to complete the season robust on indoor arduous. The Russian has had prior luck at the floor, getting the most important name of his occupation on indoor arduous on the 2018 Paris-Bercy. In Khachanov’s simplest event since the United States Open, he beat Maxime Cressy and Marin Cilic prior to working into Novak Djokovic in Astana. Korda is getting into this tournament with excellent shape, achieving his 3rd ATP ultimate ultimate week in Gijon. The 22-year-old did drop a suite to Marcos Giron within the first spherical right here however I be expecting him to push Khachanov the entire method right here. The two performed out a fantastic struggle at Wimbledon ultimate yr, the Russian popping out on most sensible 10-8 within the 5th set. Korda avenged that loss a couple of months in the past, successful in directly units in Cincinnati. It’s a difficult name however I will be able to move with the American right here.
Prediction: Korda in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Thiem 1-0 Cerundolo
(*4*)Thiem’s makes an attempt to rebuild his score proceed in Antwerp, the place the previous World No. 3 were given a powerful 6-4 6-0 win over Belgian Michael Geerts. Last week, the Austrian inspired in Gijon as he reached the semifinals and simplest misplaced to Andrey Rublev. That used to be Thiem’s highest run at an ATP tournament since Madrid 2021, a good signal going ahead. Cerundolo, probably the most 3 avid gamers Thiem defeated in Gijon ultimate week, were given his first Top 100 win on indoor arduous within the first spherical. The Argentine got here again from a suite down towards Sofia champion Marc-Andrea Huesler. This is a great draw for Thiem to proceed to earn issues and acquire self assurance. Expect the previous No. 3 to arrange a quarterfinal conflict towards the highest seed Hubert Hurkacz.
Prediction: Thiem in 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Manuel Guinard
Head-to-head: first assembly
After dropping the primary 8 ATP finals Auger-Aliassime performed in, it used to be indoor arduous the place the 22-year-old in any case broke his duck early within the season. The Canadian received the ATP 500 in Rotterdam prior to the overall of Marseille the very subsequent week. Auger-Aliassime confirmed his spring performances indoors weren’t a fluke, lifting his 2d occupation name in Florence ultimate week. He will now play his opening spherical towards Guinard after receiving a bye. The Frenchman received the struggle of the fortunate losers towards Geoffrey Blancaneaux in a good tournament, 7-5 within the 3rd. Guinard has been a forged Challenger participant however the 26-year-old getting the win right here could be a significant surprise.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 2
David Goffin vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-head: Goffin 3-1 Schwartzman
It has been a difficult season for Goffin, the 31-year-old discovering shiny spots equivalent to his Wimbledon quarterfinals run or a name in Marrakech however missing consistency during the season and chucking up the sponge of the Top 50. Goffin, on the lookout for his first Antwerp quarterfinal since 2017, needed to struggle thru his first spherical. 17-year-old Gilles Arnaud Bailly, Junior No. 2 and two-time Junior slam finalist driven the skilled to 6-4 within the 3rd after 3 hours.
Three-time Antwerp finalist Schwartzman is having a look to wreck a three-match dropping streak and shield his finalist issues from ultimate yr. The Argentine has additionally had an unconvincing season, particularly out of doors of clay. Outside in their Laver Cup assembly, Goffin leads the head-to-head 3-1. However, Schwartzman’s simplest win got here in Antwerp again in 2016. Despite that, I will be able to quite lean in opposition to the Belgian right here, although this is a shut name.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Main Photo from Getty.