Former college stars will be out in force when the remaining quarterfinal spots in Dallas are handed out on Thursday. Eliot Spizzirri and Jack Pinnington Jones are going head-to-head, while Ethan Quinn faces Marin Cilic.
Ethan Quinn vs. Marin Cilic
Cilic may be 37 years old and on the back end of a career full of injuries, but he is still going relatively strong. Checking in at 61st in the rankings, Cilic reached the Wimbledon fourth round last summer and is off to a 4-2 start this season. The 2014 U.S. Open champion followed up a third-round effort at the Australian Open by beating Learner Tien 7-5, 7-6(4) at the Dallas Open on Tuesday.
Up next for Cilic on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Quinn, who advanced with a 7-6(3), 7-5 victory over Trevor Svajda. The 21-year-old American is up to 71st in the rankings and is playing the best tennis of his career right now. Recent results include Aussie Open upsets of Tallon Griekspoor and Hubert Hurkacz in addition to a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(11) Davis Cup win over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan from four match points down. Cilic will have to serve extremely well, because Quinn should have the edge from the baseline — especially off the forehand wing.
Pick: Quinn in 3
(Q) Jack Pinnington Jones vs. (WC) Eliot Spizzirri
It will be a rematch of several recent college showdowns when Spizzirri and Pinnington Jones go head-to-head for the first time in their professional careers on Thursday. Their college rivalry was split, although Pinnington Jones won the most important matchup 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 while leading TCU past Texas 4-3 for the 2024 National Championship.
Spizzirri, however, has made more progress so far at this level. The 24-year-old American has climbed to No. 68 in the world and he famously had Jannik Sinner on the ropes in round three of the Australian Open. Spizzirri has won 11 matches on the main tour during is young career; Pinnington Jones has won two after defeating an ice-cold Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday. With Spizzirri playing great and ahead of the 22-year-old Brit in his progression, this one should go the way of the former Texas Longhorn.
Pick: Spizzirri in 2