The semifinals are set at ATP Brussels, and the local fans will be thrilled to see Raphael Collignon make it to the last four. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for both matches, as well as the action in Almaty and Stockholm. But who will advance to the final in the Belgian capital?
ATP Brussels Semifinal Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jiri Lehecka defeated Benjamin Bonzi in the quarterfinals and advances to his fourth semifinal of the season. Lehecka has now won 40 matches on the ATP Tour this season, making him only the sixth player to achieve this feat. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, meanwhile, upset Lorenzo Musetti for the first time in his career and is in his second semifinal of the season. Perricard was dialled in from the start and took full advantage of Musetti’s loss of concentration. Lehecka will struggle to break the Frenchman’s serve on these quick courts, but he has the firepower to steal the match in tiebreaks.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
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Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Raphael Collignon
Head-to-head: first meeting
Felix Auger-Aliassime kept himself in the hunt for qualification for the ATP Finals by beating Eliot Spizzirri in straight sets. It was a tight second set, and the Canadian showed his class in the tiebreak. He has now won 11 tiebreaks in a row, demonstrating how confident he is under pressure. Even so, he remains an outside chance of making it to the season-ending championships.
Raphael Collignon, meanwhile, played one of the best matches of his life to defeat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets. He benefitted from the crowd’s support and got better and better as the match progressed. His backhand was on fire, especially in the second set, which left Davidovich Fokina without an answer. However, replicating this performance will be hard for him, and even if he does, Auger-Aliassime has the game to tackle it. It’s an important match for both players, but I am going with the experience of the Canadian player.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
