The 2023 grass-court season wraps up this week in Newport, Rhode Island, with the Infosys Hall of Fame Open. The legendary grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame welcomed a 28-man singles draw to its grounds which has since dwindled to four. Two semifinal matches will take place on Saturday, including four-time champion John Isner taking on up-and-coming American Alex Michelsen. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Newport. But who will advance?
ATP Newport Semifinal Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-Head: Humbert 1-1 Mannarino
Frenchman Ugo Humbert and Adrian Mannarino square off looking to break their 1-1 head-to-head deadlock. Humbert rolled past Mannarino earlier this year at Roland Garros, but this grass-court match will have a much different feel. Both men have looked comfortable in their two matches in Newport and are solid grass-court players. This being an all-lefty battle should favor Mananrino as he has played 55 more Tour matches against fellow lefties. This should be a back-and-forth encounter, but ultimately I trust the veteran on the grass and believe he can push his younger compatriot around the court.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
John Isner vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-Head: first meeting
It has been a rocky season for John Isner, but the four-time Hall of Fame Open Champion is playing inspired tennis at one of his favorite events on Tour. Isner knocked in 20 aces in his quarterfinal win over No. 1 seed Tommy Paul. The win was Isner’s first over a top-20 player in nearly a year. He will now take on up-and-coming American Alex Michelsen. The 18-year-old won his first Challenger title last week in Chicago and has carried that momentum to Newport. Michelsen picked up his first ATP Tour win of his career in Round 1 over Maxime Cressy and followed that up with wins over James Duckworth and Mackenzie McDonald. Isner’s serve will be the great equalizer in this match. The veteran American is typically able to get by young players that have yet to face a serve of his caliber. Michelsen will make this match interesting, but the amount of free points Isner will win will be the difference.
Prediction: Isner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
