Argentina Open 2023 Day 5: Men's singles predictions ft. Juan Pablo Varillas vs Lorenzo Musetti, Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic
The fifth day of main-draw action at the 2023 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Friday (February 17) will feature all four quarterfinals.
On Thursday, four second-round matches completed the last-eight lineup. Lucky loser Dominic Thiem lost to Juan Pablo Varillas. In other results, Francisco Cerundolo, Lorenzo Musetti and Diego Schwartzman booked their places in the next round.
So, without further ado, here's a look at how the four quarterfinals at the Argentina Open could pan out:
#1 Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Cameron Norrie
Home hope Juan Martin Etcheverry will take on second seed Cameron Norrie in the first quarterfinal of the Argentina Open.
The 82nd-ranked Etcheverry improved to 3-3 on the season with a win over Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round. Meanwhile, World No. 12 Norrie continued his rich vein of form, winning his opener to improve to 11-2 in 2023.
The two players haven't clashed before, but Norrie should take this one comfortably.
Prediction: Norrie to win in straight sets
#2 Juan Pablo Varillas vs Lorenzo Musetti
Qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas will look to continue his winning ways when he takes on Italy's Lorenzo Musetti for a place in the last four of the Argentina Open.
With four wins this week, including two in qualifying, the 101st-ranked Varillas continued his purple patch by taking out 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem to improve to 2-2 on the season. Meanwhile, World No. 20 Musetti is 5-2 in 2023 after winning his tournament opener.
In their first tour meeting, Musetti is expected to emerge triumphant and reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Musetti to win in three sets
#3 Carlos Alcaraz (top seed in Argentina Open) vs Dusan Lajovic
Qualifier Dusan Lajovic will lock horns with top seed Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the Argentina Open semifinals.
The 90th-ranked Lajovic emerged from qualifying to win twice this week, improving to 3-2 on the season. Meanwhile, World No. 2 Alcaraz ended his near four-month injury-induced layoff with a hard-fought three-set win over Laslo Djere to get off the mark in 2023.
Alcaraz took his lone meeting with Lajovic at the Australian Open last year. Despite a change of surface, the Spanish teenager should prevail again.
Prediction: Alcaraz to win in straight sets
#4 Bernabe Zapata Miralles vs Francisco Cerundolo
Bernabe Zapata Miralles will take on fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo to complete the semifinal lineup.
The 74th-ranked Zapata Miralles downed home favorite Diego Schwartzman to improve to 3-3 on the season. Meanwhile, World No. 33 Cerundolo is 6-4 in 2023 after a pair of wins this week.
The two players will meet for the first time, but the higher-ranked Cerundolo is expected to prevail.
Prediction: Cerundolo in straight sets.