Eastbourne QF previews and predictions: Paul vs. Wolf, Cerundolo vs. Zhang

The Eastbourne title is unsurprisingly up for grabs heading into quarterfinal action on Thursday, when seeds Tommy Paul and Francisco Cerundolo takes the court. Paul awaits J.J. Wolf, while Cerundolo does battle with Zhizhen Zhang.

J.J. Wolf vs. (2) Tommy Paul

It will be an all-American affair when Paul and Wolf collide in the Rothesay International quarterfinals on Thursday. Paul is the No. 2 seed behind Taylor Fritz, but the 26-year-old is the top seed remaining after Fritz lost to fellow American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday. Following a first-round bye, Paul took care of Sebastian Baez 6-1, 7-6(7) in round two. Success on grass is nothing new for the world No. 17, who made a run to the Wimbledon fourth round last summer.

Wolf punched his ticket to the last eight in Eastbourne by beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets and Luca Van Assche in three. The 24-year-old had never played a professional match on grass prior to last week at Queen’s Club, where he qualified for the main draw before falling to Ben Shelton. At this point in time Paul is has more experience on the green stuff and is the better all-around player, so he should advance.

Pick: Paul in 2

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(4) Francisco Cerundolo vs. Zhizhen Zhang

Cerundolo and Zhang will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers in an ATP main draw, but they have faced each other twice before. Zhang prevailed 6-4, 6-4 at the 2019 Columbus Challenger and also got the job done 6-0, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(6) in 2021 Wimbledon qualifying.

Zhang has been the most impressive performer so far this week in terms of win quality. The world No. 54 opened with a 7-6(4), 6-3 defeat of Lorenzo Sonego and then battled past 2022 Eastbourne finalist Maxime Cressy 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Cerundolo got a bye to the second round and dismissed Marc-Andrea Huesler 7-6(2), 7-6(5) on Wednesday. The 19th-ranked Argentine is not entirely hopeless on grass, but based on current form and his past success in this matchup this is a great opportunity for Zhang.

Pick: Zhang in 3

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