The first edition of the ATP Singapore Tennis Open enters its final day with a final that few could have predicted when the tournament began six days ago. With two men having the chance to win their first ATP title on the line, there’s no doubt nerves are going to play a big part here, but who will come out on top?
ATP Singapore Tennis Open Final Prediction
Alexander Bublik vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: Popyrin 1-0 Bublik
It’s not an understatement to say that the Australian Alexei Popyrin beating former-US Open champion Marin Cilic in the semifinals was the biggest upset of the event by a distance, with the win being made even more impressive by the fact that Popyrin had to come from a break and set points down to win the opening set. His victory over Cilic also marked the first time at the ATP Singapore Tennis Open that he had beaten a player ranked inside the top 200.
His opponent in the final, world #46 Alexander Bublik, should be another tough test. The Kazakh has been continually rising through the ATP rankings over the last two seasons and has put together some good runs at ATP Tour events, albeit without managing to claim a title. He has scored fine wins this week against two top 80 players in Yoshihito Nishioka and Radu Albot, and is surely the comfortable favourite to lift his maiden ATP Tour title ahead of the final.
Ultimately, Popyrin is going to have to play at the level he did against Cilic and hope Bublik is nowhere near his best to have any chance. But it is hard to see the stars aligning for the Australian, despite his impressive win in the semifinals. Bublik’s greater experience and variety should see the higher-ranked man claim the title at the inaugural ATP Singapore Tennis Open.
Prediction: Bublik in 3
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