The Gstaad quarterfinals feature a rematch of last year with Casper Ruud taking on Juan Manuel Cerundolo for a spot in Saturday’s semifinals. Valentin Vacherot will also be in Friday action against Raphael Collignon.
(2) Casper Ruud vs. (6) Juan Manuel Cerundolo
This is the rematch nobody clocked but everybody should want. Last year in the Swiss Open quarters, Juan Manuel Cerundolo took Casper Ruud apart in three sets, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Regardless, Ruud isn’t the underdog here. The Norwegian is a two-time Gstaad champion and by most counts the winningest player on clay since 2020.
Cerundolo, for his part, has backed up his 2025 result. He has battled his way back to the quarters here with wins over Zdenek Kolar and Miromir Kecmanovic, both three-setters, and he clearly likes the thin Gstaad air on his heavy groundstrokes. Ruud’s 2026 season has been solid without being spectacular — a Rome semifinal his best showing. Friday’s forecast calls for scattered rain and temperatures in the low-70s, conditions that should keep the courts a touch heavier. Look for Ruud to survive a fight and even the score.
Cheryl pick: Ruud in 3
Ricky pick: Ruud in 2
(3) Valentin Vacherot vs. (7) Raphael Collignon
Valentin Vacherot made the semis in Rome earlier this spring, but a stress fracture and bone edema in his foot wiped out most of the French Open and all of Wimbledon. Gstaad is his first tournament back, and he already survived a proper test in the second round — coming from a set down to beat Yannik Hanfmann in just over two hours. That’s a good sign for his fitness, although three-set battles this early in the tournament carry some risks.
Raphael Collignon is riding the opposite kind of momentum. He registers at a career-high No. 42 now, seeded at tour level for the first time, and he arrives off an upset of Ben Shelton at Roland Garros that put his name on the map. This is his first ATP quarterfinal on clay, and he earned it the hard way — needing tiebreakers in both sets to get past Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday. The head-to-head between these two players stands at 1-1. Both men wield plenty of raw power, but Vacherot is more experienced. I’m giving the nod to the Monegasque to get through provided the foot doesn’t cause problems.
Cheryl pick: Vacherot in 3
Ricky pick: Collignon in 3
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