It promises to be an exciting day of tennis at the ATP Buenos Aires Open. Both of the top seeds are still standing and will be looking secure their spot in Sunday’s final, and as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predicitions for both matches. But who will come out on top?
ATP Buenos Aires Semifinal Predictions
Juan Pablo Varillas vs Cameron Norrie
Head-to-head: first meeting
Cameron Norrie has had to work hard for his spot in the semifinals at the ATP Buenos Aires Open. After a first-round bye, the Briton was taken to a third-set tiebreak by home hope Facundo Diaz Acosta, but prevailed 8-6. He then rallied from a set down to beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry, finishing the match in fine style as he won 12 of the last 15 games to book his spot in the last four. Juan Pablo Varillas, meanwhile, started his campaign in the qualifying, beating Thiago Austin Tirante and Federico Delbonis to reach the main draw.
Varillas then got the better of Joao Sousa in his opener, before beatinng former-US Open champion Dominic Thiem. That set up a quarterfinal clash with third seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian was the favourite on paper, but it was Varillas who had the better of it, winning 6-4 6-4. He will once again need to play his best tennis when he takes on Norrie. But if he does play his best, this is a winnable match. The Peruvian has been exceptional so far in Buenos Aires and if he can maintain that level, expect him to have the edge.
Prediction: Varillas in 3
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 1-1 Zapata Miralles
Carlos Alcaraz has looked sharp so far on his return to action. The Spaniard may have lost his world #1 ranking to Novak Djokovic, but he is sure to be a force over the coming months. After a first-round bye, he started his week at the ATP Buenos Aires Open against Serbia’s Laslo Djere, winning in three sets. He then dismissed the challenge of Dusan Lajovic, losing just six games in a dominant 6-4 6-2 win. That has set up a semifinal clash with his countryman Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
Zapata Miralles, unseeded, started his week with a 6-1 3-6 6-4 win over his compatriot Pedro Martinez. He backed that up by dismissing fourth seed Diego Schwartzman for the loss of only four games to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Francisco Cerundolo. He had to work hard for the win, but edged out Cerundolo in three sets. But it is hard to see him beating Alcaraz. The world #2 has been back to something approaching his best in Buenos Aires and he should have too much for Zapata Miralles.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
