Just four players remain in contention at the 2021 ATP Antalya Open. After taking out top-seeded Matteo Berrettini, Alexander Bublik will face Jeremy Chardy for a spot in the final. The other semifinal has second seed David Goffin taking on Alex de Minaur. Who do you think will make the championship match?
ATP Antalya Semifinal Predictions
Jeremy Chardy vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: First meeting
This week is already Jeremy Chardy’s best run in a while now. The Frenchman barely played in 2020, winning just three matches overall. Usually not known for great performances under pressure, Chardy has already sent off Fabio Fognini and Jan-Lennard Struff in third set tie-breakers. It’s just the first week of the year, but this is where accumulated fatigue might come into play as the Frenchman spent about 5,5 hours on the court in the past two days.
Meanwhile, Alexander Bublik has been winning his matches in a much more convincing fashion. The Kazakh is yet to lose a set, which is really impressive given he had to defeat top-seeded Matteo Berrettini. Bublik has been uncharacteristically focused and motivated this week, not prone to the usual hiccups we know him for. His talent is undeniable and added to the possible fatigue factor, he should be the one taking this match, especially if it goes to a decider.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
David Goffin vs Alex de Minaur
Head-to-head: de Minaur 1-0
Since saving six match points in the opening round, David Goffin has been a different player. Of the next 40 games he played, the Belgian has won a quite incredible amount of 33. The 2020 season wasn’t too kind to the second seed, who was seemingly struggling with confidence issues. However, it looks like that first-round victory gave him a chance to calm down and unlocked this incredible tennis ability that we know he has.
Still, in the semifinals, the second seed will face the toughest challenge yet. That is the case for Alex de Minaur though, who has gone through all three of his matches unharmed, although admittedly, his opponents did not bring that much to the table. This should be a high-quality contest and it’s actually extremely tough to predict the outcome. Is David Goffin really back? This match will be a good indication. With a style not overly reliant on power and rather on constructing the points and great timing, the Belgian could work his way through de Minaur’s court coverage.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
