The semifinals are set at the ATP Montpellier Open, with top seed Alexander Zverev and the always-exciting Alexander Bublik amongst those in action. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. But ho do you think will reach the finals?
ATP Montpellier Semifinals Predictions
Filip Krajinovic vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: first meeting
Filip Krajinovic had a mixed Australian summer, beating players that he was meant to beat (Alejandro Tabilo, Viktor Durasovic) and losing to players he would expect to lose to (Pablo Carreno Busta, Diego Schwartzman). The Serb has looked a new player since coming back to Europe, not dropping a set in his wins over Alexei Popyrin, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Damir Dzumhur. Bublik was likely disappointed with his play in Australia, going 1-2 with straight-set losses to Aleksandar Vukic and Gael Monfils.
The Kazakh’s only win was over lucky loser Ernesto Escobedo at the Australian Open, though he has certainly looked better in Montpellier. After wins over Tallon Griekspoor and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Bublik faced Roberto Bautista Agut in what might be the match of the tournament, beating him in a third-set tiebreak in the quarterfinals. If Bublik can bring what he brought against Bautista Agut, he should be well beyond Krajinovic’s powers.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
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Alexander Zverev vs Mikael Ymer
Head-to-head: Zverev 2-0 Ymer
Zverev is a big favorite for the title from the remaining field and getting his 20th ATP title would certainly soften the blow the world #3 suffered in Australia. At the first slam of the year, the German was progressing nicely through the tournament against easier opposition in the first week before being beaten in straight sets by Denis Shapovalov in the round of 16. Zverev, Montpellier champion in 2017, has looked good in straight-set wins over Mackenzie McDonald and Adrian Mannarino and faces Mikael Ymer next.
The Swede has been a French-slayer so far in Montpellier, defeating Corentin Moutet, allowing Gael Monfils only three games, and beating Richard Gasquet in three sets. Their previous two meetings have been won by Zverev, with the first one taking place back in 2015 when both players were still teenagers. If Zverev is misfiring, Ymer is a good enough retriever to take advantage and potentially win. If Zverev has his game on, as he did in the last match, there is not much Ymer can do about it.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
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