The quarterfinals are set for the ATP Austrian Open in Kitzbuhel, highlighted by the top-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud–who looks like no one can beat him on clay right now–and third-seeded Serbian Filip Krajinovic. Young Spaniard Pedro Martinez also looks to reach an impressive semifinal in Austria, and Daniel Altmaier and Gianluca Mager both look to take advantage. Ruud’s opponent Mikael Ymer is one of the most exciting young players to watch and will surely produce a fun match. We predict all four matches.
ATP Kitzbuhel Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Josef Kovalik vs Pedro Martinez
Head-to-head: 1-1
Martinez had a great summer highlighted by Grand Slam wins over Top 50 players Sebastian Korda and Gael Monfils. He followed it up with a tight win over countryman and second seed here Roberto Bautista Agut. Kovalik has gone a different route but has been comfortable here in Kitzbuhel. He has dropped just one set in four matches including qualifying, and scored a convincing win over talented young Spaniard Jaume Munar. Martinez has the better all-around game and has shown he belongs at this level, and Kovalik will not have the answers to get past him.
Prediction: Martinez in 2
Daniel Altmaier vs Gianluca Mager
Head-to-head: 2-1 Mager
Though Mager has the advantage in the head-to-head, both his wins were in 2016, while Altmaier won a three set battle between the two last week in Umag. Altmaier impressed in Umag, going from qualifying to the semifinal. Fitness could have been a concern this week, but he has dispatched two strong clay courters in Laslo Djere and Marco Cecchinato. Mager is an experienced player who can always battle and will rarely go down easy. He will extend points and give Altmaier plenty to think about, but the German is playing better tennis right now and will once again pull out a close match over Mager.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Filip Krajinovic vs Arthur Rinderknech
Head-to-head: first meeting
Rinderknech has been one of the pleasant surprises of this year’s season, jumping from World #178 to currently his career-best of #91. Krajinovic has always been a good clay courter, and will be hungry to get one step closer to his first career title. He had an impressive run to the final in Hamburg, beating French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas on the way. Rindeknech will hope to rely on his big serve on the Austrian clay courts that are playing somewhat quicks. Krajinovic has a good enough baseline game that should be able to neutralize the serve and take care of business in his own service games, and his experience will help him to the win.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 2
Casper Ruud vs Mikael Ymer
Head-to-head: 1-1
Ruud and Ymer are meeting for the third time. Ruud won their last meeting, in 2019 Monte Carlo qualifying. Ymer is showing his abilities as a young talent, making the third round at the French Open including a career win over Gael Monfils. Ruud has been dominant on clay in 2021. He is looking to win his fourth title of the year on the surface, including the third consecutive week. He has shown consistency and ability to beat the best players, adding two Masters 1000 semifinals on clay to his three titles. Ymer does have an opportunity if he can lengthen points and take advantage of Ruud’s fatigue after playing his third week in a row with a deep run. Ymer is a good player, but is not the caliber of Ruud. He is not quite ready to challenge the top players, and Ruud is simply too good on clay courts.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
