Nick Kyrgios and Borna Coric are set for an intriguing quarterfinal showdown on Friday in Estoril. The schedule also includes Benoit Paire and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
(6) Borna Coric vs. (2) Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios and Coric will be going head-to-head for the first time in their professional careers when they battle for a semifinal spot at the Estoril Open on Friday. This is Kyrgios’ first clay-court tournament of the season, in part because he has wanted to limit his schedule while dealing with various physical problems. When healthy, the 20th-ranked Australian has been outstanding. He won a title in Marseille and reached semifinals in both Dubai and–much more impressively–Miami. The 21-year-old, who celebrated his birthday earlier this week, followed up an opening-round bye with a 7-6(4), 7-5 victory over Inigo Cervantes on Wednesday.
Coric is contesting his third clay-court event of 2016 and he also played two Davis Cup rubbers on the slow stuff back in February. The 19-year-old Croat, who lost to David Goffin in five sets but eventually led his country past Belgium by beating Kimmer Coppejans in a decisive match, punched his ticket to the last eight in Estoril with defeats of Andrea Arnaboldi and Rogerio Dutra Silva. Coric’s 13-11 record this season includes a recent runner-up performance in Marrakech. Clay may be advantageous to the sixth seed, but Kyrgios appears to be in fine form and will be especially motivated against a highly-touted member of his own generation.
Pick: Kyrgios in 2
[polldaddy poll=9400737]
(3) Benoit Paire vs. (5) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez
Paire and Garcia-Lopez will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 2-1 in favor of Paire, but it is also tied up at 1-1 on clay and Garcia-Lopez won their most recent encounter 7-5, 7-6(4) in the Casablanca quarterfinals two years ago. Paire’s clay-court victory came at the 2012 Belgrade tournament, where he got the job done 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
This has been a wildly erratic 2016 campaign for the Frenchman, even by his standards. After a decent enough start to the season, Paire endured a stretch in which he won one of six matches. The world No. 21 has since regrouped to reach the Monte-Carlo third round and the Barcelona semifinals. He advanced to this week’s quarters by overcoming Kyle Edmund 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday. Garcia-Lopez has advanced with identical 6-3, 7-6(3) scorelines at the expense of Michael Berrer and Stephane Robert. The 47th-ranked Spaniard, who made a run to the Bucharest semis last week, often does his finest work at 250-point events on the red stuff. Three of his five career ATP titles have come in such fashion. In what should be a competitive affair, Garcia-Lopez is likely to have an edge in the mental department.
Pick: Garcia-Lopez in 3
[polldaddy poll=9400738]
Paire and NK in straights
Yes, I think Nick will be eager to stamp his authority 😀 voted for him in 2 but hope Coric puts up a fight and gets a set.
Have to think about Paire v GGL. I’m leaning toward Ricky’s take on it. But will vote later.
Nice to kick back and laugh — I’ve missed Kyrgios ?
he’s immense. hahahaa spectacular scissor-kick forehand winner – made Coric smile.
Match points 2 for Nick. Borna saves both. duece. Ad Nick mp 3. long. deuce. Good serve. ad Borna. ACE. Borna holds.
Nick got just a little tight toward the end of 2nd set but comfortable win.
Nico v Nick Semi
Nick LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srF6KrUDLRo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3LTGm5fRSQ
Kyrgios some 30 percent bather player now from Borna, Borna must much more power in forehand return and serv, becose Kyrgios is bather in that sagment of game he win, yes he is older 17 montsh from Borna, in that age that isnt small advantage, but ofcors Borna is good player already and this match i expect to win Kyrgios, i watch Borna every game and Kyrgios tou, he is very good player i tink he maybe one or two guys more will be the tofest rival of Borna in future, i hope Borna will progres much more till they meat again, if not he will sufer deafet every time, Kyrgios defet 8 top 10 guys, Borna 2, he is in this stage much experienced player and that is very important ting, on some few years from now we will se how much they can improve, and ofcors who will be bather ? i hope Borna, because he is my contryman from Croatia, but i like Nick tenis he play tenis more like i like, ofensive till Borna is more defansive player, but Borna is good fighter he will finde the way to make troubls Kyrgios for shure. i dont now when but one day i can bet. now they are tou young, and let them to involve in good players. i dont have doubts they will be good rivals, with no hate i hope nice relations Borna will have with Nick because this is just sport, we dont need hate in sport. just respect. farewell.