The Tennis world is on the path to getting to the Spring part of the season in both California and Florida with the ATP. This is a major speed bump along the way as this is one of many 500-level events heading to two Masters 1000 events. This was a more start-studded event than the 500-level event happening this week in Brazil. The difference is that the event is a clay tournament while in Doha, it is a hard-court event. There have been some major upsets but this tournament is set up for a fun day of matches to get us into the last four.
Alex De Minaur(-150) vs. Andrey Rublev(+124)–> Prediction: De Minaur
The Australian has had a great 14 months on the tour. Not only that, he is in great form for the ATP at the moment. De Minaur is coming off a final in the Netherlands, which is a 500-level event. He pushed Carlos Alcaraz to three sets but he just couldn’t get over the finish line. He is a beast on the hard courts as well.
This matchup could come down to the mental side as Rublev can go quite crazy with his emotions, while the Demon is one of the most calming presences on the court. De Minaur is very focused but he never gets too pumped or too let down. Rublev goes through a lot emotionally and that should push the Australian over the edge in this quarterfinal in the ATP.
Felix Auger Aliassime(+174) vs. Daniil Medvedev(-225)–> Prediction: Medvedev
The former US Open Champion has had a really tough time finding wins this season except for this week. Outside of the big three big names, he has dominated this surface during the ATP. The Canadian on the other hand has had a solid start to the year which included a 250-level tournament win. But this seems like a bad time to be playing Medvedev as he is finally finding his top 5 form in Doha. So with that being said, ride with the Russian in this matchup for the ATP.
Jack Draper(-142) vs. Matteo Berrettini(+120)–> Prediction: Draper
This match to me is the closest to a toss-up out of these ATP quarterfinals as Draper is higher in the rankings but the Italian has had the best week. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the second round quite easily. Berrettini came back and had a tight three-set win over Griekspoor. Draper being a lefty and the better server should give him the edge. Berrettini doesn’t return great and it feels like he could be emotionally drained from such a great week up to this point. Draper is the more solid player who hasn’t been as taxed physically in this tournament.
Conclusion
This day has multiple top 10 players in action, which will surely lead to some fireworks and dramatic moments. Upsets have been a theme this week but the favorites today have great matchups. Don’t be tricked into picking upsets just for the sake of it. Matchups are the most important part of tennis and this should lead to many reliable players making it to semifinal Friday.
These lines are very close, which should lead to many long matches. Still, that doesn’t mean taking unnecessary risks is warranted. Enjoy your Thursday as the Tennis world continues to build to an amazing month of ATP spring tennis.
