An intriguing quarterfinal lineup is on the Thursday menu in Lyon, where Cameron Norrie and Sebastian Baez are set for what should be a classic clay-court contest. Francisco Cerundolo is going up against Jack Draper.
(6) Sebastian Baez vs. (2) Cameron Norrie
Norrie and Baez will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and–amazingly enough–for the second time in the Lyon quarterfinals when they meet again on Thursday. Their only previous encounter came at the same stage of this same tournament in 2022, when Norrie prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Both men may not be realistic French Open title contenders, but they very much have second-week potential. They are–or can be at times–among the best clay-court players in the world, so this should be another fun and competitive contest. Norrie won the Rio title earlier this season and he opened in Lyon with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of David Goffin. Baez also has a title under his belt in 2023 (Cordoba) but has mostly underwhelmed since. The 44th-ranked Argentine did well to overcome Pedro Cachin 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Wednesday after Cachin served for the match in the second set. Norrie is more rested and motivation at the ATP 250 level has never been a problem for him, so the 14th-ranked Brit should have a slight edge.
Pick: Norrie in 3
Jack Draper vs. (4) Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo has been playing so well over the past 14 months that he has to like his chances of making some real noise at Roland Garros–at least in the form of reaching the second week. It’s hard to say how motivated he will be this week in Lyon, but the 28th-ranked Argentine has won just a single ATP title in his career (none this season) so he should be inspired to make a real run an it. Cerundolo also got a retirement from Juan Pablo Varillas following just one set on Tuesday, so fatigue obviously isn’t a factor.
Up next for the 24-year-old is a first-ever meeting with Draper, who has advanced with victories over Alexandre Muller and Miomir Kecmanovic. The 21-year-old Brit has impressed on clay despite being a relative novice on the surface, but it is–and will likely always be–his worst surface. On any other surface Draper would be a rather easy pick, but Cerundolo should be able to get the job done on dirt.
Pick: Cerundolo in 3
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