The semifinals are set at the ATP Los Cabos Open with plenty of star power on display. It should be an entertaining day of tennis in Mexico and, as always, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for both semifinals, as well as the action in Doha and Rio. But who will book their place in Saturday’s final?
ATP Los Cabos Semifinal Predictions
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 1-1 Ruud
This semifinal sees two highly seeded players face off who are still at the top level but desperate to get back to the elite form that saw each of them make major finals last season. Neither have quite been able to reach those levels in the past several months but have each impressed so far this week. Stefanos Tsitsipas has played limited tennis in 2023 though he has played well in the first two months of the year. While he has not notched any huge wins, he has been consistent and won both of his matches here in straight sets.
Both players excel on clay courts so will enjoy the slower surface in Los Cabos. Tsitsipas is quite familiar with the courts after winning the title last year but his form has dropped off substantially from where he was a year ago. Casper Ruud seems to be trending in the right direction, and his performance so far seems to have indicated that. He has dropped just six games in two matches so far and has shown impressive consistency. This one could go either way but Ruud looks to be in better form and he will take advantage of Tsitsipas’ error-prone game by forcing him to hit the extra shot and wearing him down with those mistakes.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: Zverev 1-0 Thompson
Alexander Zverev is playing just his third event of 2024 but it has been an excellent start to the year. After leading a strong United Cup run, he was just one set away from the Australian Open final. He has continued the strong play and at his ceiling is one of the most dangerous hard court players in the world. Thompson has also enjoyed a good start to the year, already playing in his second semifinal. He has racked up plenty of match wins though he has yet to earn a win over a top player.
Zverev matches up well against Jordan Thompson. Thompson is more of a counterpuncher but does not quite lack the power to hit past Zverev. Zverev’s groundstrokes and ability to play serve and volley tennis require an opponent with a similar game or at least power abilities to throw him off. Thompson simply does not have that and the match will play directly into Zverev’s hands and he will stay in control from start to finish.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
