Barcelona Open: 10-time champion Rafael Nadal leads draw; Djokovic, Nishikori, Thiem, Dimitrov look to make strides

THIRD QUARTER

Fernando Verdasco

Predicted quarter-final: 3rd seed Dominic Thiem vs 7th seed Diego Schwartzman

Last year's runner-up in Barcelona, Dominic Thiem is set to go deep in the tournament yet again. The Austrian, who is back from a five-week right ankle injury layoff, had put up a brave show in Monte Carlo last week. The World No. 7 ousted Novak Djokovic in straight sets before suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Nadal.

Diego Schwartzman does not possess enough firepower to defeat the prince of clay, Thiem. Dominic is 3-1 against Schwartzman and the only time the Argentine defeated the Austrian was in the 2017 Canada Masters in the R32 (6-4 6-7 7-5).

Thiem could possibly face Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the third round in Barcelona. But the Spaniard is unlikely to pose the Austrian a challenge on clay. Suffering a 4-6 2-6 defeat at the hands of Kohlschreiber in Monte Carlo, it is hard to think of him as a challenger out there.

The real danger for the third seed Thiem comes in the form of Fernando Verdasco, if at all, in the third round. Having won in Barcelona twice, in 2005 and 2013, Verdasco should be the man to watch out for in this quarter.

The World no. 36 Verdasco has a 3-0 record against Thiem. The Austrian has yet to find those skills needed to take out Fernando whose wins against Thiem have been super sizzling ones. The 2015 Wimbledon, 2017 Paris Masters and a crushing win in Rio Brazil this season. It's safe to say, Fernando Verdasco has all the weapons to oust the Austrian once again.

Semi-finalist: Fernando Verdasco