It’s down to the final four here at the ATP Paris Masters 2020 as we have two blockbuster semifinals on the cards. All four have a very real shot of lifting the trophy here in Paris which should bring this tournament to an exciting end. We at LWOT preview and predict both the high octane clashes for you.
ATP Paris Masters Semifinal Predictions
Daniil Medvedev vs Milos Raonic
Head-to-head: Medvedev 2-0 Raonic
As soon as Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out early at the ATP Paris Masters, this section of the draw was wide open and provided Milos Raonic a path to the semifinals or better. The Canadian has took that opportunity with both hands as he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the impressive Ugo Humbert. After the first set, Humbert seemed to be on the ascendancy and that was true until 6-4 in the third set tiebreak.
A lengthy exchange ensued going the way of Raonic swinging the momentum dramatically. Serving wise, it wasn’t as clinical as in the previous matches for Raonic but it came to his rescue in the third set tiebreak when he needed it the most.
Raonic can’t afford to be two match points down in his semi-final clash as his opponent, Medvedev seems to have found his rhythm on court this week. The Russian was absolutely clinical in his quarterfinal against the in form Diego Schwartzman. Medvedev didn’t face a break point throughout the match and it was a statement performance from him. Heading into this match, both players should be feeling pretty comfortable about their prospects but Raonic has lost both times they’ve played against each other and that could play a role.
The Canadian has defended his backhand solidly this week but a confident Medvedev poses a much more severe challenge to that wing. Expect a fight to the very end with Raonic’s serve firing to get a set but in the crunch stages of a third set, Medvedev looks slightly more confident to raise his game.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
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Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-head: Nadal 5-1 Zverev
The top seed, Rafael Nadal endured some nervy moments in his quarter-final clash before running away with the third set 6-1. The Spaniard’s task of winning his first ever title here sees its biggest challenge yet in an in-form firing Alexander Zverev. Nadal leads the head to head 5-1 but the German’s only victory came in the ATP Finals 2019 last year and conditions in Paris are not too dissimilar.
Zverev has been playing consistently well consecutively for over two weeks now and he looks like he will take some stopping. While off court the German has had some troubling issues to deal with, his game on court this week remains flawless. Nadal on the other hand has looked shaky at times and Zverev is capable of capitalising and closing it out.
The Spaniard is a fighter of the highest order and it wouldn’t be surprising if this is a lengthy encounter but the indoor conditions coupled with the courts here in Paris aren’t particularly a strong point for Nadal’s game. On the other hand, in a best of three format in these conditions, Zverev’s game is perfectly suited. The German has kept his double faults stat in check and has served a total of 34 aces over the three matches he’s played this week.
Expect long and arduous baseline rallies with both players giving it their all. Zverev doesn’t look like he could lose at the moment and any call against the great Spaniard is a tough proposition. But the way Zverev has been playing, it’s well within him to attack and rush Nadal’s game to draw out errors and eventually snatch the all-important win from the Spaniard’s hands.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
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