It’s time for the semifinals of the 2024 ATP Croatia Open in Umag. Three of the top four seeds have it made this far, with the other withdrawing ahead of the event (Holger Rune). Jakub Mensik took that opportunity and is playing just as well as everybody else left in the event. Who do you think will make the final?
ATP Umag Semifinal Predictions
Jakub Mensik vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: First meeting
Jakub Mensik fell off the map recently due to some health issues, but the young Czech is back on track now. His performances this week have been stellar and while some big names are remaining in this event, he’s not far off their quality. Especially the win over Luciano Darderi in the second round was just top-notch. For Mensik, this will be a second ATP Tour semifinal appearance after Doha earlier this year.
Lorenzo Musetti went down a set to Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals and despite the upcoming Olympics, the Italian kept fighting. It was a pretty physical affair for the Wimbledon semifinalist, but he should be pretty fresh going into this clash. Mensik is so dangerous though and has the weaponry to make Musetti scramble for balls. But he also doesn’t need to all-out attack him with how good his movement is. It could be another statement win for the young Czech.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: 1-1
Andrey Rublev hasn’t been awful this year; he’s just gotten a bit less clinical and isn’t invulnerable to upsets anymore. But of course that one run he had in Madrid is a massive saving grace as well. This week he’s managed to fend off both Camilo Ugo Carabelli and Fabian Marozsan, despite some early tests from both players. It’s a big improvement as before Umag, he was on a four-match losing streak.
Now he’s going to face Francsico Cerundolo, who defeated him in Hamburg two years ago and almost followed it up in Bastad last year. It’s not a bad matchup for the Argentinian who enjoys having lots of linear pace directed at him and has the weight of shot to fight with Rublev for baseline dominance. Cerundolo is more versatile off the ground as well and he might come out on top in that sort of blow-for-blow trade off the ground.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
