Barcelona qualifying wraps up today with three matches that could each go either way, and we've got predictions for all of them. Clay form is everything at this stage of the season, so let's get into it.
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Qualifying Predictions
Ethan Quinn vs Daniel Merida Aguilar
Head-to-head: First meeting
Quinn has had a quietly solid season for a guy his age and his ranking reflects that he's figured out how to compete week in, week out. Merida Aguilar is a Spanish wildcard type on home clay, and that's always worth respecting, but the ranking gap is real and Quinn has the more complete game of the two.
I think Quinn gets through this, though probably not without a wobble somewhere in the match. Merida Aguilar will feed off the crowd energy and make things uncomfortable for a set, but Quinn should have enough on this surface, all things considered.
Prediction: Quinn in 3
Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Jesper De Jong
Head-to-head: First meeting
Cerundolo is one of those players who just looks more dangerous on clay than his ranking suggests, and Barcelona is exactly the kind of event where you'd expect him to make some noise. Hard to see this being competitive at all. De Jong has never really established himself on this surface at this level, and Cerundolo should be able to dictate from the baseline pretty comfortably.
Cerundolo wins this, likely dropping a set somewhere but never really in danger.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Hamad Medjedovic vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the tightest one on paper. Halys is a tricky opponent because he hits the ball hard and flat, which can disrupt rhythm on clay even when the conditions are slow. But Medjedovic has shown real growth over the past year and at 21 he's becoming so good at not panicking when matches get physical and long, and the slow Barcelona clay should neutralize Halys's biggest weapon and let Medjedovic work his way into the match.
That said, I feel like Medjedovic edges this one out over three sets. Could easily go the other way, but backing the younger guy with the higher ceiling here.
Prediction: Medjedovic in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire