Munich QF previews and predictions: Fritz vs. Draper, Auger-Aliassime vs. Struff

There are a couple of all-seeded showdowns on the Friday schedule in Munich, where Germany’s own Jan-Lennard Struff faces Felix Auger-Aliassime. Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper are also aiming for a place in the final four.

(3) Taylor Fritz vs. (6) Jack Draper

Fritz and Draper will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the BMW Open on Friday. Their only previous encounter came two years ago on the grass courts of Queen’s Club, where Draper cruised 6-3, 6-2. The British left-hander doesn’t have home-court advantage this time around, and that could make the difference. Draper is decent on clay, but his power game isn’t as effective and the surface can also expose what has already been a fragile body in the early stages of his career.

Draper has done well this week to get past Vit Kopriva and Rudolf Molleker in three sets, while Fritz has enjoyed a much more routine stay at his Munich offense. The 15th-ranked American earned a first-round bye as the No. 3 seed and then disposed of Alejandro Moro Canas 6-1, 6-3. Fritz is well rested and superior to Draper on clay, so a victory for the favorite should be in the cards.

Pick: Fritz in 2

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(5) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (4) Jan-Lennard Struff

At 33 years old, Struff continues to search for his first ATP title. He is still three wins away from accomplishing that feat this week, but Munich gives him every opportunity to do it. The German has played in three finals; two have come at home in Germany (this same Munich tournament in 2021 and Stuttgart in 2023) and the other has come on clay (2023 Madrid Masters). Munich gives him the best of both worlds, and his bid began with a 7-6(0), 6-4 defeat of 2023 runner-up Botic van de Zandschulp.

Up next for Struff on Friday is another player who is big on talent and hopelessly short on confidence. Auger-Aliassime is just 11-9 this year and needed to save multiple match points during a 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 7-6(3) first-round win over Maximilian Marterer. The Canadian followed that up with a 6-3, 6-3 beatdown of Taro Daniel, but that hardly indicates that he is back–or even close–to his best. Playing at home, Struff should be able to take advantage of a vulnerable opponent.

Pick: Struff in 3

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