A Surprise Quarterfinal Match-Up at ATP Madrid Masters 2023

Aslan Karatsev vs Zhang Zhizhen: A Surprise Quarterfinal Match-Up at ATP Madrid Masters 2023

The 2023 ATP Madrid Masters has been full of surprises, with one of the biggest being the quarterfinal match-up between the 121st-ranked Aslan Karatsev and the 99th-ranked Zhang Zhizhen. This article will provide a preview of the match, along with predictions and tips for betting.

Head to Head: Karatsev vs Zhizhen

Interestingly, the two players have only played each other once before, at the 2022 Astana Open, where Zhang Zhizhen came out victorious in three sets. It remains to be seen whether Karatsev can turn the tables this time around.

Karatsev’s Road to the Quarterfinals

Karatsev’s form had been inconsistent in recent months, failing to win a single main draw match in the six tournaments he played after making the semifinals at the Pune Open earlier this year. However, he managed to break that poor run of form by making the second round at Munich as a qualifier.

At the Madrid Masters, Karatsev entered the main draw as a qualifier and has been defying the odds ever since. He has won all four of his matches so far, with odds ranging from 13/10 to 13/5 against him. In the fourth round, he managed to upset world number three Daniil Medvedev with a 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory.

Zhizhen’s Fairy-Tale Run Continues

Zhizhen’s journey at the Madrid Masters has been even more surprising than Karatsev’s. He has been the second-favourite in all four of his matches, with odds heavily stacked against him. Despite this, he has managed to come out on top in each match, even when down a set in his last two matches.

In the fourth round, he was a whopping 9/2 underdog against Taylor Fritz but managed to save three match points in the final set before winning the tie-breaker 10-8. His determination and grit have been impressive, and he will look to continue his fairy-tale run against Karatsev.

Predictions and Tips

This quarterfinal match-up is a tough one to call, but given Zhang’s sheer grit and determination, he has the edge in this match. Our low-risk tip is for Zhang to win a set at 1/2 odds.

Final Thoughts

The 2023 ATP Madrid Masters has been full of surprises, with Karatsev and Zhizhen being two of the biggest surprises. As they face off in the quarterfinals, it remains to be seen who will come out on top. Will Karatsev be able to avenge his previous loss to Zhang, or will Zhizhen continue his fairy-tale run? Tennis fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to find out.