The first set of semifinals on the US Open Series this year feature two Americans, Reilly Opelka and Taylor Fritz facing international talents in Australia’s Alex De Minaur, and Great Britain’s Cam Norrie. Which rising stars will reach the final of the BB&T Atlanta Open?
Reilly Opelka vs Alex De Minaur
ADM beat Opelka in Sydney to start they year, now Opelka can get him back in his home country on a court that certainly favors his big serving game. After defeating John Isner, Opelka edged Dan Evans in the quarters continuing to show it’s nearly impossible to break his serve under the current conditions and that he has enough mental toughness to secure the tiebreak or late set break he needs to win matches. De Minaur will be fresh, he got to the semis via a Bernard Tomic retirement and he has yet to drop a set. Despite being more accomplished as an ATP player, I have him as the underdog though, Opelka seems incredibly tough to slow down right now. Opelka in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Cam Norrie
Fritz and Norrie have met twice this year, splitting meetings. It’s the third time this year Norrie has reached a semifinal or better (all three times on hard courts), while Fritz is also in his third semi or better. Giving their middling success on tour this year, this is a great opportunity for either player to make a final. Fritz should have the home edge however, with the stateside fans backing him to win his third match in a row after a solid grass court season. Norrie is playing his 4th match of the week and shouldn’t be as fresh, he also doesn’t have as much upside to his game. Fritz in 3
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