This year’s ATP Paris Masters has delivered big time and the atmosphere has been electric all week. It’s the business end of the tournament and only four players remain. Former finalist, Alexander Zverev will take on former champion, Holger Rune, in the first semifinal. While in the second semifinal, former champion, Karen Khachanov will face the Frenchman, Ugo Humbert. As always, LWOT will predict both the semifinals. But who will advance to the final?
ATP Paris Semifinal Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-Head: Khachanov 1-0 Humbert
Karen Khachanov won his first match over Grigor Dimitrov, as he dominated the Bulgarian player, who looked physically compromised. Khachanov reaches the semifinals of the Paris Masters for the second time. He has won 12 of his last 13 matches and is playing some of his best tennis. But he will need this level and more to beat Ugo Humbert, who has already caused an upset this week and has been unplayable at times.
Humbert is thriving off of the support from the brilliant French crowd and is elevating his tennis when required. Humbert has played fearless tennis all week, and when he executes his game plan, he is extremely difficult to stop. I am backing him to reach his first Masters final.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
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Alexander Zverev vs Holger Rune
Head-to-Head: Zverev 2-1 Rune
Alexander Zverev has been the inferior player at the start of all his matches this week, but his serve helped him keep ticking off the scoreboard, and then he improved towards the end of the sets. The fact that he has reached the semifinals without playing his best tennis speaks volumes about why he is a top 3 player. However, he must improve to keep Holger Rune at bay and reach the finals.
Rune got a brilliant win over Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals. It was a great match from both but Rune’s aggression on big points sealed it for him. Rune is now 12-1 at the Paris Masters and will look to repeat what he did here in 2022. The Danish player has the game to rush Zverev, especially on these fast courts but he will also need to serve brilliantly because Zverev most probably will. These two played two close matches this year which went Zverev’s way. This one will be close as well but the third time might be the charm for the former-champion Rune.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Main photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
