And then there were four. As the clock ticks down towards Wimbledon next week, the stars of the ATP have just days to hone their skills on perhaps the most challenging and unusual surface in tennis. The ATP Mallorca Open has already seen its fair share of upsets, and we will soon see if Friday has any more waiting. Here’s how the semifinals line up.
ATP Mallorca Semifinal Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Antoine Bellier
Head-to-head: First meeting
Well, how about that quarterfinal? Just a week after losing to Daniil Medvedev in Halle, Bautista Agut got his revenge in superb fashion against the World #1, dropping just five games on his way to the semis here. That result has breathed life into a 2022 season that–aside from February’s title in Doha–had been rather underwhelming for the Spaniard. He is a comfortable grass court player, and certainly his baseline-heavy style is entirely at odds with that of his opponent. Bellier, who began the week ranked outside the world’s top 300, almost resembles Feliciano Lopez in his pomp, a southpaw armed with a jackhammer backhand slice and a formidable net game. He is almost built for grass, but based on RBA’s performance against Medvedev, it’s just too hard to go against him.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 2
Benjamin Bonzi vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Head-to-head: 1-0 Tsitsipas
This is the second meeting between the pair in as many weeks, after Tsitipas won a topsy-turvy three-set match in Halle. The Greek has been gradually making strides on grass since Andy Murray bounced him out in Stuttgart, but for some reason, he just can’t seem to get an easy win. There’s much to be said about fighting through adversity in tough matches, but a straightforward encounter seems overdue. Will he get it here? It seems unlikely. The big-hitting Bonzi has been in fine form. He is yet to lose a set in Mallorca and demolished Dennis Shapovalov in the first round. Another three-setter could be on the cards but the ever-improving Tsitsipas should have enough in the tank.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
