Despite the exit of the defending champion in the quarterfinals, the 2021 edition of the ATP Marseille Open is all set for an enthralling finish. Four men remain and they will all surely be desperate to get their hands on the trophy in Provence. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both semifinals, but who will book their place in Sunday’s final?
ATP Marseille Open Semifinal Predictions
Pierre-Hugues Herbert vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 2-0 Herbert
Ugo Humbert is perhaps lucky to be in this match after Arthur Rinderknech served for the match in their quarterfinal. But he survived that test and now faces another Frenchman in Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Herbert played solid tennis to take down the ever-inconsistent Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.
Both Frenchmen have big serves and there should be several comfortable service holds in this one. But Humbert is the more capable player from the baseline and should win the match if it is played from the back of the court.
However, Herbert, who has enjoyed a fine career on the doubles court, is at home at the net and will surely look to come in and finish points early at every opportunity. He will need to get on top of rallies to be able to do that though. The power Humbert has, particularly in his forehand, makes that unlikely. The lefty snuck through the last round, but should win more comfortably here.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
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Daniil Medvedev vs Matthew Ebden
Head-to-head: first meeting
One imagines that Daniil Medvedev would have gratefully accepted the chance to face a qualifier in the semifinals if the choice had been offered to him at the start of the week. The Russian has once again been impressive form on an indoor hard court and it looks like he’ll take some stopping this week.
That said, Matthew Ebden has been impressive to say the least this week. Time and time again this week, the Australian has overcome the odds and he deserves a lot of credit for putting this run together. However, Ebden who had to come through the qualifying, has already spent a lot of time on court whilst Medvedev has dispatched his opponents in short order.
To add to that, Ebden is relatively inexperienced at this level. Any heaviness in his legs could therefore prove fatal to his chances. Expect Medvedev to clinch this match thanks to his consistent tennis and relentless defence.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
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