It’s time for the semifinals of the 2023 ATP Stockholm Cup. Gael Monfils has been the main story so far as he’s seeking his first final in nearly two years. Pavel Kotov is trying to make it to the championship match of an ATP Tour event for the very first time, while Laslo Djere and Miomir Kecmanovic complete the final four line-up. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Stockholm Semifinal Predictions
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Pavel Kotov
Head-to-head: Kecmanovic 1-0 Kotov
Kecmanovic eliminated two Swedish wildcards to get here in Karl Friberg and Elias Ymer, but also equaled the biggest win of his career by taking out world #6 Holger Rune. He’s trying to reach his third ATP Tour final this year, although he’s yet to claim a title in 2023. It’s been an important week for the Serb after a disappointing Shanghai exit where he had to retire against Bu Yunchaokete due to illness.
Kotov is playing his second ATP semifinal after Marrakech this year and has also scored his best-ever win this week, taking out world #25 Tallon Griekspoor in the last eight. He has been impressive in Stockholm so far, serving well and crushing his forehand. Kecmanovic recently beat him in Beijing though and deserves to get a small edge here, especially as it’s a matchup that really tests Kotov’s fitness.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Gael Monfils vs Laslo Djere
Head-to-head: first meeting
Monfils really got something going during the North American hard court swingand while we hadn’t seen him on the court since, he got right back into that groove in Stockholm. The Frenchman is trying to make his first final in 21 months (Adelaide 2022) and managed to produce a high-quality win against his compatriot Adrian Mannarino at the last eight stage.
Meanwhile, Djere was in big trouble against Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals, eventually having to break with the Czech serving for the match. This is just his 2nd ATP Tour semifinal on hard courts (2022 Winston-Salem). It’s going to be an exciting first encounter between the two, but Monfils has been more deadly so far and Djere might still be feeling his three-hour match with Machac on the next day.
Prediction: Monfils in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
