Marrakech 2023 Day 5: Men's Singles Predictions, ft Lorenzo Musetti vs Alexandre Muller

The fifth day of main draw action at the 2023 ATP 250 Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech on Friday (April 7) will feature all four quarterfinals. Three seeds and a qualifier will be in action.

Following a rain-washed Wednesday (April 5), Thursday (April 6) saw all eight second-round matches. The likes of Lorenzo Musetti, Tallon Griekspoor, and Daniel Evans emerged victorious, respectively beating Hugo Gaston, Elias Ymer, and Alexei Popyrin.

Without further ado, here's a look at how the matches could pan out on quarterfinal day at Marrakech:

#1 Daniel Evans vs Andrea Vavassori

Second seed Daniel Evans takes on Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori for a place in the last four in Marrakech.

The 30th-ranked Evans brought up only his fourth win in 13 matches this year by downing Alexei Popyrin for the loss of just four games in his opener. Meanwhile, World No. 201 Vavassori improved to 2-1 in 2023 by beating Jaume Munar in the second round, having beaten eighth seed Nicolas Jarry in the first.

The two players haven't met before, but Evans should take this one.

Prediction: Evans in straight sets.

#2 Tallon Griekspoor vs Roberto Carballes Baena

Fourth seed Tallon Griekspoor will look to reach the Marrakech semifinals at the expense of Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

World No. 35 Griekspoor beat Elias Ymer in straight sets to improve to 14-5 on the season, while the 82nd-ranked Carballes Baena is now 6-8 in 2023 following a pair of wins this week.

This is another first-time matchup, but expect the in-form Griekspoor to prevail.

Prediction: Griekspoor in straight sets.

#3 Lorenzo Musetti (Marrakech top seed) vs Alexandre Muller

Top seed Lorenzo Musetti will continue his bid for the first title of the year when he locks horns with Frenchman Alexandre Muller.

The 21st-ranked Musetti opened his campaign with a come-from-behind win against Hugo Gaston and is now 6-7 in 2023. Meanwhile, World No. 126 Muller registered back-to-back 6-4, 6-4 wins to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Expect the top seed to take this first-time matchup.

Prediction: Musetti in straight sets.

#4 Christopher O'Connell vs Pavel Kotov

In the only all-unseeded matchup of the day, Christopher O'Connell takes on Pavel Kotov.

World No. 87 O'Connell is now 5-6 in 2023 following a pair of wins this week. Meanwhile, the 114th-ranked Kotov has also done likewise to improve to 3-3 on the season.

In yet another first-time matchup of the day, O'Connell should prevail.

Prediction: O'Connell in straight sets.