The European indoor swing continues as the ATP World Tour stops in Rotterdam for the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Despite several big names such as Rafael Nadal, Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic and two-time defending champion Gael Monfils withdrawing, the field still features several quality players.
Topping the list are Daniil Medvedev, who can replace Nadal as world number two in the rankings should he reach the final and Stefanos Tsitsipas, fresh off of a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, the second straight major where he reached the last four.
First quarter
Projected Q/F: (1) Daniil Medvedev vs (7) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Medvedev begins his quest for the number two ranking against Dusan Lajovic. Should the Russian, a semifinalist here in 2019, get the past the Serbian, he would then face either Borna Coric or Dutch wild card Botic Van de Zandschulp.
Felix Auger-Aliassime hasn't played since blowing a two-set lead to Aslan Karatsev in the fourth round of the Australian Open and he faces Kei Nishikori in a blockbuster first round match with the winenr facing either Alex de Minaur or John Millman.
Prediction: Medvedev def. Auger-Aliassime
Second quarter
Projected Q/F: (3) Alexander Zverev vs (5) Roberto Bautista Agut
The German accepted a late wild card to play here and he faces a challenging road to the title, starting with Singapore finalist Alexander Bublik. Tommy Paul or Lorenzo Sonego would be Zverev's second-round opponent.
Roberto Bautista Agut comes to Rotterdam on the back of a finals appearance in Montpellier and he will face fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina while the big-serving Reilly Opelka takes on Marton Fucsovics, who did not drop a set during the qualifying competition.
Prediction: Zverev def. Opelka
Third quarter
Projected Q/F: (6) David Goffin vs (4) Andrey Rublev
David Goffin won his fifth career title, coming from behind to defeat Bautista Agut in the Montpellier final and he faces a challenge right away from the talented Jan-Lennard Struff. The all-French match between qualifier Jeremy Chardy and Ugo Humbert is also in this section.
Andrey Rublev made the final eight in Melbourne before losing to good friend Medvedev and he should ease into the tournament against qualifier Marcos Giron. All eyes will be on Andy Murray as he plays his second ATP-level tournament via a wild card after hip surgery and he faces fellow wild card entrant Robin Haase.
Prediction: Rublev def. Goffin
Fourth quarter
Projected Q/F: (8) Stan Wawrinka vs (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stan Wawrinka let a two-set lead slip in the second round of the Australian Open against Fucsovics and the draw did home no favors as the 2019 Rotterdam finalist faces a stiff test against Karen Khachanov. The winner faces Nikoloz Basilashvili or qualifier Cameron Norrie.
Tsitsipas had the signature win of his career, rallying from a two-set deficit against Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and he will take on Egor Gerasimov, fresh off of a semifinal run in Montpellier. Delray Beach champion Hubert Hurkacz is a potential danger man for the Greek in round two should he get by Adrian Mannarino.
Prediction: Tsitsipas def. Wawrinka
Semifinals
Medvedev def. Zverev
Rublev def. Tsitsipas
Final
Medvedev def. Rublev
