The Friday quarterfinal lineup in Rotterdam is headlined by a showdown between No. 4 seed Andrey Rublev and No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz. Third seed Alex de Minaur and lucky loser Daniel Altmaier are also in action.
(4) Andrey Rublev vs. (8) Hubert Hurkacz
Rublev and Hurkacz will be facing each other for the sixth time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the ABN AMRO Open on Friday. The head-to-head series could hardly be more competitive; Hurkacz leads it 3-2, there have been three final sets, two final-set tiebreakers, and at least one ‘breaker played in four of their five meetings. Their most recent showdown was a memorable one, with Hurkacz triumphing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(8) in the 2023 Shanghai Masters title match.
This marks their first-ever indoor encounter and–at least right now–it is a surface that should favor Hurkacz. The 21st-ranked Pole is extremely difficult to break under any circumstances, but especially on a fast surface. Unsurprisingly, Hurkacz has not dropped serve through two rounds in Rotterdam. Rublev is a stellar indoor hard-court player, as well, but the second serve is arguably the biggest weakness in his game and Hurkacz successful pouncing on those deliveries even a few times in this match could be enough to make the difference. In a battle between two guys who are in need of a big week, Rublev’s struggles are more likely to continue.
Pick: Hurkacz in 3
(LL) Daniel Altmaier vs. (3) Alex de Minaur
Altmaier was packing his backs after losing to Constant Lestienne in the final round of qualifying, but he got a new lease on Rotterdam life when Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard withdrew. The 93rd-ranked German parlayed an unexpected spot in the main draw into victories over Montpellier runner-up Aleksandar Kovacevic and seventh-seeded Arthur Fils, both in three sets.
Up next for Altmaier on Friday is a first-ever meeting with De Minaur. The eighth-ranked Australian has absolutely cruised so far this week, beating David Goffin 6-2, 6-4 and Jakub Mensik 6-4, 6-4. Thus continues a great year so far for De Minaur, whose 9-1 record includes a semifinal showing at Melbourne Park. Count on the No. 3 seed maintaining his fine form and securing another routine victory.
Pick: De Minaur in 2
WWW?
shit if i know.
at this point based on the results in both Rotterdam and Dallas, who knows!
yeh, I’m in one of those ruts where all 11 years of my watching goes out of the window. not all, but foundational cement pillars are being knocked down. Very strange this early in the season.
Facts even Paul isn’t getting worked in 3 setters. Lot of wild cards this tournament that’s insane