The field at the ATP Montpellier Open has whittled down to just four players. The first semifinal pits established Next Gen star Jannik Sinner taking on the surprise package of the week Arthur Fils. Top seed Holger Rune continues the pursuit of his first title of the season and will play big-serving Maxime Cressy. Who do you think will reach Sunday’s final?
ATP Montpellier Semifinal Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-head: first meeting
If there was ever a longshot this week, it had to be Arthur Fils – the youngest player in the draw – reaching his first ATP semifinal. In his first match, he stunned Richard Gasquet – the most decorated player in Montpellier Open history. And at the end, it felt like the 36-year-old was passing the baton and the keys to his territory. Fils went on to achieve an even bigger win in his next round, beating world #24 Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4. That earned him a straight shootout against compatriot Quentin Halys for a spot in the last four. And the 18-year-old duly delivered, withstanding a barrage of aces to win 7-6 6-3.
Sinner, by contrast, needed one win to reach the semifinal stage. He took care of countryman Lorenzo Sonego, winning 6-4 6-2. Sinner had plateaued during the course of 2022 in comparison to the previous year when he took the tennis world by storm. But he looks to have sharpened his tactical preparation and is dictating points from his own racket. Fils’ adventure has been extraordinary. And irrespective of Saturday’s result he will climb to a career-high ranking of No. 117. The Italian is likely to play with a lot more regulation and will constantly look to give Fils a taste of his own medicine by returning with depth. The Frenchman’s fairytale run will probably end here, but expect drama in full supply.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Holger Rune vs Maxime Cressy
Head-to-head: Rune 3-0 Cressy
Holger Rune was made to work hard but put in a tidy performance to sink France’s Gregoire Barrere in two tiebreak sets. The young Dane admitted how difficult it was to get the job done in the end. Barrere received a lion’s share of support from the home crowd and was hitting the ball so cleanly from the baseline. But every time the Frenchman stepped up, Rune had the answers. After that rollercoaster match with Andrey Rublev in Melbourne, Rune has learned to make the moment count. For Cressy, it’s been an up-and-down start to the season although his week in Montpellier should fill him with optimism ahead of a busy February. But there are no loopholes to Rune’s game right now to even entertain an upset.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
