For all the controversy at the start of the week, the organizers of the ATP 250 tournament in Napoli will be fairly pleased with how things have turned out. They have two Italians in the semifinals in Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti and will be holding out hope for an all-Italian final. Will the tournament get its dream finish? We’ve predicted how the semifinals will pan out.
ATP Napoli Semifinal Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: First meeting
After starting the season so well, Miomir Kecmanovic hasn’t quite been able to keep up that same momentum for the entirety of the season. Fortunately, he seems to have rediscovered some of that form as he dispatched the top-seed Pablo Carreno Busta with relative ease. That said, he seems to be at his best playing against opponents with great rally temperament, matching them for consistency but finding a little extra power to end the rally.
Lorenzo Musetti isn’t that type of player. His powerful baselining game is developing into a style effective on all surfaces as he reaches his third consecutive semifinal in a row on hard-courts. Vulnerabilities in the Musetti one-handed return and Kecmanovic’s sheer quality will earn him a set but we think a first hard-court final awaits the youngster.
Prediction: Musetti in 2
Matteo Berrettini vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: 1 – 0 Berrettini
Though he lacks the huge serve of his opponent, Mackenzie McDonald can be a very tricky player to face on his day. He has an extremely competent ground game, particularly his backhand which could cause Berrettini all kinds of trouble if the American can get into enough rallies.
Whether or not that will be possible is another question. The courts at Napoli are quick enough for Berrettini to keep rallies short with his huge serve and forehand combo and the uneven surface will likely benefit him given he won’t have to keep his rally temperament as high as McDonald’s. With the worst of his injury woes behind him, there’s no reason for Berrettini not to be playing close to his best.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
