Day 4 in Rio brings the conclusion of the Round of 16 as the pressure starts to ramp up in the finale of the South American Golden Swing. Crowd favourites Joao Fonseca and Matteo Berrettini will both be in action, looking to potentially set up a quarterfinal clash against each other. But that is not all. As always, we here at LWOT will be giving predictions for each match that takes place. Who do you think will make the quarterfinals?
ATP Rio Day 4 Predictions
Damir Dzumhur vs Jaime Faria
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jaime Faria produced arguably the performance of the first round, entering the main draw as a lucky loser and defeating two-time defending champion Sebastian Baez in straight sets. Faria brings that confidence into this clash and will look to play freely. Damir Dzumhur’s counterpunching and backhand solidity can cause the Portuguese problems, but Faria’s confidence, aggressive baseline game, and strong serve could carry him to another win in Rio.
Prediction: Faria in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Dusan Lajovic, another lucky loser in Rio, came through his opening-round match with little trouble. On a slow court, Lajovic’s backhand and kick serve can still do damage. However, his best days are behind him. In a matchup against Matteo Berrettini, where both the bigger serve and the most dangerous weapon belong to the Italian, there are limited pathways to victory unless Berrettini suffers a physical setback.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Vilius Gaubas
Head-to-head: First meeting
Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Vilius Gaubas both enter this match after three-set battles. Gaubas has shown that clay is his best surface, and when given time from the baseline, the young Lithuanian can be highly effective. Against Etcheverry, though, who is both more consistent and more experienced, Gaubas will likely need to outhit the Argentine. This could be close, but Etcheverry remains the more reliable player at this stage.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Joao Fonseca vs Ignacio Buse
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ignacio Buse did well to come through his opening-round match in Rio. Still, Joao Fonseca needed his first-round win far more, as he finally secured a victory in 2026 after a turbulent start to the season both on and off the court. With that breakthrough behind him, Fonseca should play with greater freedom in front of a passionate home crowd and ride that energy into the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Fonseca in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – Imagn Images