Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Barcelona match.
In the round of 16 at the ATP Barcelona Open, World No.8 Andrey Rublev is set to face 30th-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The Russian was eliminated at the same stage during the previous tournament in Monte Carlo and will be eager to bounce back this time.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
It was anticipated that Alejandro would come out strong in the opening match of his home tournament, and he did just that in the clash against Stan Wawrinka. However, it is worth highlighting that Wawrinka is currently ranked only 162nd in the ATP standings. Facing Andrey Rublev represents a considerable step up in both quality and tactical awareness. Given that even Wawrinka managed to challenge Alejandro in the second set (4:6), the upcoming match is likely to be an even sterner test.
Andrey Rublev
Defying expectations, Andrey Rublev made a strong start to his Barcelona campaign. In the opening round, he delivered a commanding performance to defeat Dutch player Jesper de Jong (6:1, 6:3). Many observers remarked that this was his most convincing display since winning the ATP 500 event in Doha in February. The clay surface continues to complement his game, enabling him to fully unleash his powerful groundstrokes and control rallies effectively.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Andrey Rublev Prediction
These two have faced each other five times before, with Andrey Rublev winning on every occasion. He is currently playing with confidence and composure, both statistically and in terms of on-court presence. The winning run looks set to continue.
