After eight days of world-class tennis, four countries remain at semifinal stage of the inaugural ATP Cup. But who will clinch the last two spots?
ATP Cup Semifinal Predictions
Rafael Nadal vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: Nadal leads 2-0
Rafael Nadal did not play well against David Goffin, in which he ultimately ended up losing in straight sets. He will need to quickly regroup as Alex de Minaur has been playing extremely well all week. The Spaniard will also need to physically recover from physically draining doubles match finishing at 1 am local time.
This could be a close match- dependent on how Nadal plays. But the world no. 1 is not the world no.1 without a reason. Expect the Spaniard to come through in two tough sets and give Team Spain a crucial point to the finals.
Prediction: Nadal in 2
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Nick Kyrgios
Head-to-head: Kyrgios leads 1-0
Both Nick Kyrgios and Roberto Bautista Agut have been playing well throughout the ATP Cup. The Australian has been motivated to play for his team and has not lost a match in singles or doubles. Likewise, the Spaniard has won all his matches thus far, and without dropping a single set on the way.
But expect the Australian to put on an entertaining show for the crowd and win in two close sets. Yes, Bautista Agut is ranked in the top 10 and performs more consistently. However, we all know Kyrgios thrives in these high-pressure team events, especially with so much on the line now.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 2
Dusan Lajovic vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-head: Lajovic leads 2-0
Dusan Lajovic has been a reliable member for Serbia’s Davis Cup team, and now is proving himself to be a reliable ATP Cup member as well. The Serb has won three out of his four matches here and broke down Felix Auger-Aliassime’s game to beat him in straight sets yesterday.
Karen Khachanov, also, has played well all week. The 23-year-old Russian has yet to lose a match and has only dropped one set all week. It should be a tough match for both considering how both in-form they are. But the one thing Lajovic has more than Khachanov is the experience of team matches. And that will be the deciding factor in this match.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev
Head-to-head: Djokovic leads 3-2
Daniil Medvedev has beaten Novak Djokovic twice in a row now. Once in Monte-Carlo and most recently in Cincinnati. Whether it’s the Russian’s groundstrokes or his unpredictability, there is clearly something about Medvedev’s game that clearly frustrates Djokovic.
The world no. 2 will definitely be reviewing those two matches and see where the pattern of play went wrong for him. It will be a gruelling match considering both players are ‘human wall’ type of players. But expect the Serb to change his patterns up and come through and give Team Serbia a crucial point to advance to the final.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
