It’s time for the quarterfinals at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart with some decent matchups on these fast conditions that is favoring big serves and aggressive play.
Here is a preview of the two quarterfinal clashes scheduled for today along with our betting predictions.
1. Jiri Lehecka vs. Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-Head: Tiafoe leads 2-1 (and 1-0 on grass)
Both players are exceptionally lethal on these surfaces and are in good form, but can show inconsistencies at times.
Lehecka had to fight tooth and nail in the Round of 16, surviving a tiebreak thriller against James Duckworth (6-7, 6-4, 7-6). His serve was a primary weapon and will be relying on this again today.
Meanwhile, Tiafoe enjoyed a smoother path, dispatching Rinky Hijikata in straight sets. The American loves the grass season and he’s been in great form recently. Comes from a brutal exit at the French Open where he lost to Matteo Arnaldi having led 2-1 and 4-1, 40-15 in the fourth set…
Prediction: Very tough to predict, likely decided by a few key points in a tiebreak. Lehecka’s serve can be the decider but Tiafoe’s extra layer of grass-court comfort might give him the slight edge. I think Big Foe will continue his fine form and progress, against the bookies odds, here in Stuttgart where he’s a past champion.
2. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Perricard 2-1 Bublik (never met on grass)
Kazakhstan’s world No. 11 Alexander Bublik advanced to the final eight by grinding out a three-set win over home-favorite Jan-Lennard Struff (7-6, 3-6, 6-2). Bublik hammered 22 aces in that match, and he’s usually a big threat on grass, where his slice and drop shots also become very effective.
He faces a test today in Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard that got here via wins over lucky loser Roman Safiullin (in a third-set tiebreaker) and qualifier Gauthier Onclin. The tall Frenchman has one of the most powerful first serves in modern tennis. On the fast Stuttgart grass, his serve becomes a nearly un-returnable missile at times.
Prediction: We might see very short rallies and plenty of aces in this one. If Perricard finds his rhythm on serve, he can neutralise a lot of Bublik’s tactical tricks but he has plenty of flaws in his game otherwise. The 11th-ranked Kazakh has the edge in experience and overall grass skills and looked sharp and composed in the last match. I’ll go for a Bublik win here to even out their h2h.
