Denis Shapovalov vs. Joao Fonseca is a must-see matchup that is sure to provide plenty of entertainment on Friday in Basel. Casper Ruud and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina are also bidding for a place in the semis.
Joao Fonseca vs. (9) Denis Shapovalov
Shapovalov and Fonseca will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel on Friday afternoon. Fonseca had been struggling a but since a hot start to the season, but he opened with an impressive 7-6(6), 6-3 victory over defending champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday. The 19-year-old Brazilian then got a walkover from an injured Jakub Mensik.
Shapovalov isn’t as well rested as his opponent, but he certainly won’t mind since he has a lot of momentum right now. The 23rd-ranked Canadian is coming off a semifinal showing in Stockholm and he has advanced this week with victories over previous nemesis Marcos Giron (in a third-set tiebreaker) and an in-form Valentin Royer (in straight sets). If this match goes three sets, it could set records in both the winners and unforced errors departments. And there is a great chance it does go three. A slight edge goes to Shapovalov based on his current form and history of indoor success.
Pick: Shapovalov in 3
(4) Casper Ruud vs. (8) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Ruud ousted Shapovalov in the Stockholm semis and went on to capture the title, defeating Ugo Humbert in the final. Getting right back in gear, the 11th-ranked Norwegian secured his spot in the Basel quarters by beating Quentin Halys and Stan Wawrinka–both in straight sets and in second-set tiebreakers.
Up next for Ruud on Friday is a sixth meeting with Davidovich Fokina, who trails the head-to-head series 3-2. They have played three five-setters–including their only previous indoor encounter at the 2019 NextGen ATP Finals–and a final-set tiebreaker at the 2023 Toronto Masters. In other words, another war can be expected. Davidovich Fokina just survived one against Jenson Brooksby (6-7(6), 6-4, 7-5), but that was on Tuesday–so he enjoyed a full day off. For what is almost certain to be another energy-sapping contest, the 18th-ranked Spaniard has played less tennis in recent weeks and may have more left in the tank.
Pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3
