Day 4 at the ATP 250 event in Santiago will feature the four remaining Round of 16 matchups, with several home players in action and other clay court specialists and golden swing staples. The quality of the courts has been called into question a lot this week, but the tournament has still produced plenty of quality tennis so far and it should remain that way as we head into the decisive stages.
ATP Santiago Day 4 Predictions
Alejandro Tabilo vs Tomas Barrios Vera
Head-to-head: Barrios Vera 2-0 Tabilo
Barrios Vera might have won both encounters between the pair (both last year on clay in the golden swing) in straight sets but Tabilo is a clearly superior player overall and should be able to reserve that trend. Vera has been struggling significantly so far in 2024, while Tabilo started the season with a title in Auckland and seems set to have a real breakthrough year.
Predictions: Tabilo in 2
Luciano Darderi vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Head-to-head: Darderi 2-2 Cerundolo
Darderi is having a dream 2024 so far, with a title in Cordoba to cap it off. In the first round here in Santiago, he faced Bagnis again in a rematch of the Cordoba final and won an incredible three-hour, 23 minute battle featuring three tiebreaks. It will be very difficult for him tomorrow, but if he’s fresh, however, he should be able to avenge his loss against Cerundolo last week in Rio.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
Jaume Munar vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Head-to-head: Ramos 5-1 Munar
Although Ramos has a very clear head-to-head lead, his best days seem far behind him, and Munar actually got his first win in this matchup when they last faced last year in Umag. Neither player is having a good golden swing, but at this point in their respective careers Munar should have the edge.
Prediction: Munar in 2
Sebastian Baez vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Head-to-head: Baez 4-1 Varillas
Baez is just fresh off his first ever ATP 500 title last week in Rio, which got him to a career high #21 in the ATP rankings, and he’s arguably the favorite to win the title here as well, especially considering his Rio run wasn’t that exhausting, dropping only one set all week. Varillas, on the other hand, came into this tournament on a 8-match losing streak, he will be happy that he finally snapped it here in the first round, but his run should be over here.
Prediction: Baez in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
