By Tony Fairbairn
- Jack Draper v Gabriel Diallo | H2H: First Meeting
- Jan Choinski [Q] v Zizou Bergs | H2H: First Meeting
- Toby Samuel [LL] v Juan Manuel Cerundolo [8] | H2H: First Meeting
EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND – Jack Draper overcame Jack Pinnington Jones in straight sets where he will meet Gabriel Diallo in the Eastbourne quarter-finals.
Jack Draper v Gabriel Diallo H2H & Match Fundamentals
The successful return to Tennis continues for Jack Draper. The former world number four defeated good friend Jack Pinnington Jones in a tough straight sets win to reach the quarter-finals in Eastbourne. There were concerns how Draper would do after a two month injury hiatus from the sport but Draper has answered those concerns emphatically. Now, Draper will hope he can continue this good form as he looks for his best ever result at Wimbledon over the next fortnight.
The next task for Draper will be big-serving Canadian Gabriel Diallo. It was a marathon win for Diallo as he defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach the last eight in Eastbourne. It was last year where Diallo won his first ATP tour title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and has the perfect game for grass. A big serve and powerful groundstrokes with a clean net game. Now, Diallo will be hoping he can continue to produce incredible performances and results on the surface as he will aim to cause many upsets at SW19.
Draper will use the forehand to accelerate the pace of the rallies as he will need to be smart on return. Meanwhile, Diallo will look to be aggressive on the first serve and will use the backhand to pin Draper behind the baseline. It will be a tough match for Draper but this will be a much-needed test for the Brit heading into Wimbledon.
Prediction: Diallo in three sets.
Jan Choinski [Q] v Zizou Bergs | H2H & Match Fundamentals
A stroke of luck for Jan Choinski as former Eastbourne champion Taylor Fritz withdrew just before their match. However, Choinski still had a tough second round test against lucky loser Felix Gill where he won in three sets to book his spot in the quarter-finals. The Brit may be more familiar on clay but his big serve and big backhand will work perfectly on grass. Now, Choinski will aim to translate the potential into results as he looks to gain some crucial ranking points on grass.
Standing in his way of a place in the semi-finals is Zizou Bergs. The Belgian is into the quarter-finals after Daniel Altmaier retired from their contest. There has been a past track record of success on grass for Bergs who won the Ilkley Challenger a couple of years ago and has the perfect game for grass. Bergs is confident in his ability and with a dangerous serve he will feel he can test the best players in the world over the next few weeks.
Choinski will aim to be aggressive on serve and will look to put pressure on Bergs’ baseline game. Meanwhile, Bergs will aim to be proactive on return and will use the forehand to open up space on the court. Choinski will need to be at his best on serve if he wants any chance of winning this match with Bergs’ consistent quality expecting to be too strong.
Prediction: Bergs in three sets.
Toby Samuel [LL] v Juan Manuel Cerundolo [8] | H2H & Match Fundamentals
It was a big win for Toby Samuel as the Brit made the most of his opportunity as a lucky loser to defeat Thiago Agustin Tirante. The Brit has had a great season and as a result will have a main draw wildcard to Wimbledon for the first time in his career. Now Samuel will aim to build on his form and momentum as he will relish the next few weeks. A big opportunity awaits for Samuel who now looks to earn some big ranking points.
Next up for Samuel is eighth seed Juan Manuel Cerundolo. The Argentinian battled past Arthur Fery in two tight sets to reach the quarter-finals. It has been a fantastic last month for Manuel Cerundolo and his family as they have secured some milestone wins. Despite grass not being his best surface on paper, Manuel Cerundolo is looking to capitalise on his recent form and produce a big week in Eastbourne.
Samuel will aim to be aggressive on the first serve and will look to finish points off at the net. Meanwhile, Manuel Cerundolo will use the forehand to create depth and create errors from Samuel’s game. This will be a big challenge for Samuel who will need to be patient in the longer rallies in order to hit winners and power through the Argentinian’s defence.
Prediction: Manuel Cerundolo in three sets.
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