Lloyd Harris will meet Pavel Kotov in the Quarter-Finals of the 2023 Mallorca Open. The match will be played on Thursday June 29th, 2023.
Lloyd Harris is a Qualifier here at the 2023 Mallorca Open, and will meet Pavel Kotov for a spot in the Semi-Finals. The tall South African was once ranked as high as #31, but a season-ending injury last year derailed his progress. After struggling in the Qualifiers, he has looked good since, defeating Zapata Miralles and Safiulin in straight sets. With his huge serve and forehand he is very dangerous on the grass but it will depend on how well he is able to keep his error count down here against Pavel Kotov, where he starts as the favorite given his experience.
Pavel Kotov is ranked #116 on the ATP Tour and like his opponent Lloyd Harris is a Qualifier here at the 2023 Mallorca Open. After looking impressive in the Qualis he kicked it up a notch, upsetting hometown favorite Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Round of 16. Kotov played the match of his life and recovered well from being down early to get the win 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, serving very well throughout the match. It was his ability to focus in the pressure points that was most impressive, and he has a chance to reach the Semis here against the highly rated but rusty Lloyd Harris.
This is a tough match to predict given the length of time that Lloyd Harris was out, but I am going with him to win here. Pavel Kotov has played some great tennis this week but it seems like the South African is shaking off the rust, and we all know that he has top 40 upside. It could easily go either way, but give me experience every time during a close match, and Harris has more of that by miles. Lloyd Harris to win here and reach the Semi-Finals at the 2023 Mallorca Open.