A quarter within reach

The draw is really good for these two young players, who have the chance to make it through to the quarter-finals with a win tonight

Two young players and two qualifiers above all! Prizmic beat Dellien and Heide, two guys I rate when it comes to altitude, and he also just got himself out of the Jarry trap! No surprise given the potential of the Croatian, who’s slowly starting to live up to it all. His first round wasn’t easy, the crowd here is really shameful and Jarry’s style is tough to handle, but despite dropping a set he got through it well. He now has a much more pleasant match-up in this second round against the other qualifier, Gaubas.

Qualifier, or rather lucky loser, because Gaubas lost to Barrena before becoming an LL! I didn’t see that defeat, but the scoreline is very one-sided against a player who isn’t really good in my opinion. I did see his first-round match though, but there’s not much to take from it, he faced a wild card who really wasn’t at the level. Last week he had already lost a set against a wild card, and every time I watch him he seems pretty limited in what he brings to the table. I don’t see as much talent and potential as I do in Prizmic!

They played once last year and Prizmic destroyed him. It was on a different surface and they’re both improving quickly, but still, it gives a first indication. I’d say Prizmic is much more complete, whether in attack or defense, and he’s got that little bit of character that I really like too. If I have to pick, I’m going with him!