We have reached the weekend at the Western & Southern Open as only four players remain in a once 56-man singles draw. This Masters 1000 event has lived up to its billing, providing excellent tennis to its patrons all week. Two blockbuster semifinals will take place on Saturday as World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz takes on Hubert Hurkacz and World No. 2 Novak Djokovic takes on Alexander Zverev. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for both matches. But who will advance to the final?
ATP Cincinnati Semifinal Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz 2-0 Hurkacz
Carlos Alcaraz and Hubert Hurkacz will square off for the second time in as many weeks on Saturday in Cincinnati. Last week in the Round of 16 at the Canada Masters, Alcaraz overcame a set deficit to take down the Pole 3-6 7-6 7-6. Four of the five sets they have played against each other have gone to a tiebreak. If Alcaraz were to win this match, he would reach his fifth career Masters 1000 final. Hurkacz is seeking his third Masters final appearance.
The 20-year-old Spaniard has been pushed to three sets in all three wins this week. He has not looked his sharpest, dropping his level at the service line. Alcaraz’s serve has been broken nine times this week. On the contrary, Hurkacz has used the strength of his serve to reach his third semifinal of the season. He is averaging 4.4 aces per set this week. To stay in this match, Hurkacz will have to bring another A+ serving performance while also taking advantage of the few times Alcaraz drops his level. Ultimately, I see the Spaniard raising his level when it matters most.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev
Head-to-Head: Djokovic 7-4 Zverev
Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev will continue a long competitive history when they meet in Saturday’s semifinal in Cincinnati. This will be their 12th meeting, but the first in nearly two years. Djokovic has looked terrific in his first event since Wimbledon. He has dropped just 13 games in three matches this week. Zverev has looked dominant as well, notching four wins over top-45 players to reach his first Masters semifinal in over a year.
Zverev will have to find a way to puncture through the Djokovic baseline game if he wants any chance at winning this match. That, however, is easier said than done. Djokovic has brought an absurd level of tennis to Cincinnati, seemingly letting out frustration after his Wimbledon final loss last month. I struggle to see Zverev’s path to victory when the World No. 2 plays with his current consistency.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
