The remaining quarterfinal spots in Vienna will be handed out on Thursday, when Karen Khachanov and Brandon Nakashima clash in an all-unseeded matchup. No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur continues his week against Flavio Cobolli.
Karen Khachanov vs. Brandon Nakashima
Khachanov and Nakashima will be squaring off for the first time in their careers when they battle in round two of the Erste Bank Open on Thursday. Nakashima got a difficult draw but upset Stockholm champion Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday. Although Paul was less than 100 percent, it was still a solid win for Nakashima and continues what has been a stellar 2024 campaign. The world No. 38 owns a 27-20 record on the main tour and also built up his ranking with consistent Challenger success.
Now it is Khachanov who is standing in Nakashima’s way of the last eight. Like Paul, Khachanov was also a tournament winner last week–he triumphed on the indoor hard courts of Almaty. Although the 24th-ranked Russian made quick work of Thiago Seyboth Wild on Wednesday, fatigue could still be come a factor at some point. This is a good opportunity for Nakashima to pull off another big win.
Pick: Nakashima in 3
Flavio Cobolli vs. (2) Alex de Minaur
De Minaur is one spot out of Nitto ATP Finals qualification, so this is a huge event for him. The 25-year-old Australian did well to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 in round one, but he continues to be less than 100 percent following a hip injury sustained at Wimbledon. In fact, even after beating Struff he said, “I miss the old me.”
Up next for De Minaur is second encounter with Cobolli, who got clobbered 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in the third round of this year’s Australian Open. However, the story will likely be much different this time around. De Minaur is struggling and Cobolli’s career has taken flight in 2024. The 22-year-old has earned 35 of his 41 lifetime main-tour match victories this season, soaring to No. 31 in the world. Cobolli cruised past Alejandro Davidovich 7-6(1), 6-3 in his Vienna opener and looks poised to take advantage of another vulnerable opponent.
Pick: Cobolli in 2
