ATP Dalla’s quarterfinal predictions including Paul vs Opelka

It’s quarter -final day at the ATP Dallas Open. The tournament delivered three massive disturbances on Thursday with exits of Ben Shelton, Frances Teafoe and Top Seed Taylor Fritz. Defending champion Tommy Paul survived, but how long he prepares to meet the fit-again Reilly Opelka. Who reaches the semi -finals?

ATP Dalla’s quarter -final predictions

Jaume Munar vs. Matteo Arnaldi

Head-to-head: Munar 2-2 Arnaldi

Jaume Munar’s first ATP indoor quarterfinals were not what many tennis fans predicted before the tournament. The spanish has a quiet good season according to its standards. He reached a virgin hard-Court semi-final in Hong Kong last month and stretched Casper Ruud to five sets in the first round of the Australian Open. This week he has won two matches in straight sets, including an odds-saving round with 16 riots of Ben Shelton.

Matteo Arnaldi has also impressed in Dallas. He knocked out the great serving Christopher Eubanks in the first round and then beat Davidovich Fokina for the loss of four matches. It is a rare option for one of these two players to overwrite an ATP 500 semi -final. The prospect of three sets looks increasingly likely, as the attacked Arnaldi is the little favorite to push through.

Prediction: Arnaldi in 3

Casper Ruud vs yoshihito nishioka

Head-to-head: Ruud 2-1 Nishioka

For the past few years, Casper Ruud has gone against the norm and competed regularly outside his beloved clay courts in February. This decision almost gave a title last season in Los Cabos. He produced a vintage performance in the second round against Michael Mmoh to reach the quarterfinals of his Dallas debut. He will be wary of the challenge that Yoshihito Nishioka will pose.

The Japanese Left side has removed Brandon Nakashima and Frances Teafoe to reach his first quarterfinals in Dallas on his third attempt. Nishioka’s sharp and crucial counter -punching is a threat, especially as the new venue plays a little slower. But these are also ideal conditions for Ruud, whose heavier artillery will allow him to dictate play.

Prediction: Ruud in 2

Built -in from Getty Images

Denis Shapovalov vs Tomas Macha

Head-to-head: First meeting

Denis Shapovalov shocked the tournament’s favorite Taylor Fritz in the final round to expand his excellent record on indoor tough courts. The Canadian has now gathered 15 wins from 20 games under the roof since the start of last season. This winning spree landed him another ATP title in Belgrade at the end of last year and he will be a handful for the rest of the tournament if he plays as he did against the top seed.

Tomas Machac has a good start of the year with only two defeats from nine completed matches. Both players can take the plug out of the ball. Machac is the more athletic gifted player, but his physical conditioning is not sustainable and he has had five documented retirement over the past year. He will also be up against Shapovalov’s seemingly irresistible form indoors.

Prediction: Shapovalov in 3

Tommy Paul Vs Reilly Opelka

Head-to-head: Opelka 1-0 Paul

It is a clash of former and defense masters in Dallas like Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka meet in their first ATP meeting ever. Opelka defeated Paul in three sets on the Champaign Challenger 2018, but it’s nothing to trust as a barometer for this match. Paul’s title defense has come under serious threat this week and loses sets to Jenson Brooksby and Ethan Quinn.

Opelka has been exposed to much stiffer competition and navigated past Alexander Shevchenko and Cameron Norrie to reach the last eight. The player holding their nerve at Crunch Time wins this match. And with Opelka, who won nine out of 10 draw this season (including two this week), he will like his humonous serving to shine.

Prediction: Opelka in 3

Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA Today Sports