The second quarterfinal at the ATP Cup pits Russia against Argentina. Karen Khachanov kicks things off against Guido Pella, while Daniil Medvedev looks to remain undefeated in this event at Diego Schwartzman’s expense.
Karen Khachanov (RUS) vs. Guido Pella (ARG)
Khachanov and Pella will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when Russia and Argentina collide on Thursday in Sydney. Their only previous encounter came last spring on the red clay of Barcelona, where Pella prevailed 6-2, 7-6(4).
Even though both guys are all-court players, a hard surface should give Khachanov a much better chance. The world No. 17, whose biggest-ever title has come at the 2018 Paris Masters, is 3-0 so far at the ATP Cup. A perfect 4-0 record is likely, but it won’t be easy against a similarly in-form Pella.
Pick: Khachanov in 3
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Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. Diego Schwartzman (ARG)
If Khachanov has been good during this inaugural team competition, Medvedev has been great. A much-needed offseason appears to have rejuvenated the world No. 5 back to his dominant 2018 ways. In round-robin action Medvedev trounced Fabio Fognini in their last two sets, erased John Isner 6-3, 6-1, and battled past Casper Ruud 6-3, 7-6(6).
Medvedev is sweeping the head-to-head series with Schwartzman 2-0, with both wins coming in easy straight sets. The 13th-ranked Argentine is a modest 1-2 in singles at the ATP Cup, managing to beat only a struggling Borna Coric. This is not a great matchup for Schwartzman, who does not have the offensive firepower necessary to hit through Medvedev’s wall of defense.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
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