If you didn’t know before this week then you know now that the future of the men’s game is in safe hands. The likes of Sebastian Korda and Carlos Alcaraz have played some breathtaking tennis at the ATP Next Gen Finals. Luckily for us tennis fans, there is still plenty more action to come. As ever, we try and predict which of the game’s emerging stars should taste success on Thursday in our ATP Next Gen Finals session 5 predictions.
ATP Next Gen Session 5 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Juan Cerundolo
Head-to-head: First meeting
A few months ago many would have had this pegged as a close match. Both Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Cerundolo looked like talented clay-court players with work to do before really breaking onto the tour. However, in recent months Alcaraz has shown he has the game for all surfaces and is just a service motion tweak away from being an elite player across the board. The Spaniard has immense power, crazy athleticism and wonderful variety for someone so young. While Cerundolo can match his variety, there is little else the young Argentinian can offer by way of resistance on fast indoor hard courts such as the one being used in Milan. On clay this is a close contest but here the Spaniard takes this comfortably and continues his unbeaten run so far this week.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
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Holger Rune vs Brandon Nakashima
Head-to-head: First meeting
Holger Rune is a talented young player with huge upside. He has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, not least running Novak Djokovic close for two sets in New York earlier this year. However, in Brandon Nakashima her faces a youngster perhaps more talented than himself. The Young American is yet to register an eye-opening result on the ATP Tour. Nonetheless, consistent play and good wins have seen him steadily climb the rankings. A big result down the line will let the casual fan know he’s arrived. However, we tennis addicts are already aware that this kid is something special. Nakashima has a better serve and bigger game, both of which are advantages on the courts of Milan. Rune should keep things close because he is a talented player but Nakashima should get the job done here.
Prediction: Nakashima in 4
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