ATP Montpellier, Zagreb, Vina del Mar: Quarter-Final Predictions

Lukas Rosol

Gilles Simon v Benoit Paire (Montpellier, QF)

The most interesting of the quarter-finals in Montpellier will see the flashy Benoit Paire takes on in comparison, the rather sombre Gilles Simon.  Paire came through an epic second round match with Steve Darcis where he saved a match point in a 4-6 7-6(11) 6-4 victory over Steve Darcis.  Simon played his first match of the week today and he came through in straight sets against Arnau Brugues-Davi, 7-6(5) 6-2.  Paire has certainly been improving throughout the last year and the nature of his win over Darcis showed a great deal of character.  Paire won their only previous encounter in 2011 where he prevailed in a three setter in Rotterdam.  I still fancy Paire to make the final and that he will knock Simon out of Montpellier.

Prediction - Paire to beat Simon in 3 sets

Lukas Rosol v Jurgen Melzer (Zagreb, QF)

Luka Rosol has had the odd win here and there, but nothing significant to suggest that his second round win over Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon was just a flash in the pan.  He has made the quarter-finals in Zagreb with wins over Flavio Cipolla and Filip Veger.  Jurgen Melzer will offer him his most significant challenge of the week; the Austrian number four seed overcame a first set blowout to beat Somdev Devvarman, 1-6 7-6(5) 6-2.  Melzer has been extremely irratic in the last couple of years and you can never really trust him to deliver solid results.  He lost to Rosol in their only match at Roland Garros in 2011 where the young Czech blasted his way into the third round with a career best (at the time) five set win.  I predict another win for Rosol tomorrow...

Prediction - Rosol to beat Melzer in 3 sets

ATP Montpellier Predictions:

Michael Llodra to beat Jan Hajek in 2 sets

Jarkko Nieminen to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in 2 sets

Richard Gasquet to beat Julien Benneteau/Victori Hanescu in 2 tight sets

ATP Zagreb Predictions:

Phillipp Petzschner to beat Robin Haase in 2 sets

Ivan Dodig to beat Mikhail Youzhny in 3 sets

Marin Cilic to beat Blaz Kavcic in 2 tight sets

ATP Vina del Mar Predictions:

Ramos to beat Zeballos in 2 tight sets

Berlocq to beat Rufin in 2 sets