This Friday at the ATP 250 in Metz will see the two semifinal matches being played, with four players giving it their all in their last chance of getting a title in 2023, which none of the four has been able to do yet. Two of them have never won an ATP title in their career at all, and this is a golden opportunity to do so. Despite the theoretically lackluster field (due to top players resting for Turin and many lower ranked players preferring to end their season after Paris), it’s been a great week of tennis in Metz and the last two days of the tournament surely won’t disappoint.
ATP Metz Semifinal Predictions
Alexander Shevchenko vs Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Head-to-head: first meeting
Neither player has an ATP title to their name, but they’re in very different stages of their careers. Herbert is a veteran of the circuit who has lost four ATP finals, while Shevchenko is up and coming and looking for a first career final here. Both players have shown some excellent tennis all week and it should be a very tight match; on paper, Shevchenko would have a slight edge, but the desperation to finally grab a title and home court advantage might give Herbert the push he needs to make it to the final here.
Prediction: Herbert in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0 Fognini
Fognini is having his best week of the season here and actually has a chance to return to the top 100 if he wins the title, which would certainly give some new life to his seemingly fading career. Humbert, however, is a very clear favorite here; he’s playing at home and he is simply the much better player right now, with many great wins all year. A title here would see him break into the top 20, which seems like a matter of time given the level he’s been showing as of late.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
