Rotterdam 2023 Day 5: Men's singles predictions ft. Grigor Dimitrov vs Alex de Minaur, Gijs Brouwer vs Tallon Griekspoor | ABN AMRO Open
The fifth day of main-draw action at the 2023 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam on Friday (February 17) will feature the four quarterfinals.
On Thursday, five second-round matches completed the last-eight lineup at the ATP 500 event. Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime booked his place in the next round, but top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and fourth seed Holger Rune failed to progress.
So, without further ado, here's a look at how the four quarterfinals in Rotterdam could pan out on Friday:
#1 Grigor Dimitrov vs Alex de Minaur
Grigor Dimitrov will take on Australian Alex de Minaur in the all-unseeded first quarterfinal in Rotterdam on Friday.
The 28th-ranked Dimitrov improved to 5-2 for the season with a pair of straight-set wins this week, including against fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz in the second round. Meanwhile, World No. 25 De Minaur is now 6-2 in 2023 after beating Maxime Cressy in the last 16.
De Minaur has won the last two of the pair's three previous meetings. However, Dimitrov, the 2018 runner-up, has had a better campaign in Rotterdam than his opponent and should even their head-to-head record.
Prediction: Dimitrov in three sets
#2 Daniil Medvedev vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (defending Rotterdam champion)
Sixth seed Daniil Medvedev will lock horns with third seed and defending Rotterdam champion Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the last four.
The 11th-ranked Medvedev is 7-2 for the season after seeing off Botic van de Zandschulp in the Round of 16 on Thursday. Meanwhile, World No. 8 Auger-Aliassime improved to 5-2 in 2023 with a pair of straight-set wins this week.
Medvedev has won all four of his previous meetings with Auger-Aliassime and should extend that streak on Friday by ousting the defending champion.
Prediction: Medvedev in three sets
#3 Jannik Sinner vs Stan Wawrinka
Jannik Sinner will take on former Rotterdam champion Stan Wawrinka for a place in the last four.
Sinner, World No. 14, improved to 10-2 for the season by beating top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the second round. Meanwhile, playing with a protected ranking, the 130th-ranked Wawrinka won back-to-back matches this week to improve to 4-3 in 2023.
The 2015 winner has won two of his three previous meetings with Sinner, including both the pair's clashes on hardcourts. However, going by current form, the reigning Montpellier winner should take this one.
Prediction: Sinner in straight sets
#4 Gijs Brouwer vs Tallon Griekspoor
Gijs Brouwer will take on Tallon Griekspoor in another all-unseeded quarterfinal on Friday.
Ranked 160th in the world, Brouwer took out fourth seed Holger Rune to improve to 2-0 this season. Meanwhile, the 61st-ranked Griekspoor (9-1) brought up his ninth win of the season by stunning eighth seed Alexander Zverev in the Round of 16.
The pair have never met before, but Griekspoor should win this all-Dutch matchup and reach the last four.
Prediction: Griekspoor in straight sets