A couple of interesting quarter-final picks from Geneva today, and the conditions look great out there, clear skies and temperatures climbing to around 22°C. Both matches have some history that makes them harder to call than the rankings suggest. Let's get into it.
Gonet Geneva Open Predictions
Arthur Rinderknech vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Rinderknech 2-1 Bublik
Rinderknech actually leads this one, which is a little surprising given the ranking gap, and that H2H matters because these two clearly have a real dynamic going on. Bublik's game is always a bit of a wildcard on clay, with those flat serves and the trick shots that either win him free points or blow up in his face, but he's been solid enough this week to make the quarters and is the better player on paper right now.
That said, Rinderknech is no pushover and the slow Geneva clay should help him hang in rallies long enough to make Bublik uncomfortable. I think this one goes the distance, but Bublik has enough firepower to close it out.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
Alex Michelsen vs Learner Tien
Head-to-head: Michelsen 3-1 Tien
Another match where the lower-ranked player owns the H2H, and Michelsen's 3-1 record over Tien, which includes a win as recently as earlier this year, is pretty hard to ignore. These two have clearly played enough times to know each other's games well and Michelsen has generally had the better of it. Tien is ranked higher and has been on an upward trajectory, but beating someone four times in your career is the kind of thing that gets in your head a little.
Tien wins this one, though. He's the more complete player right now and the clay in Geneva should slow things down enough to take away some of Michelsen's pace off the ground. Hard to see this being particularly close, but Tien finds a way, all things considered.
Prediction: Tien in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire