Semifinal day here at the Vienna Open brings a clash of all four top world-class players. Dominic Thiem, the crowd favorite, will be looking to win his second title on Austrian soil after winning Kitzbuhel earlier this year. Both Berrettini and Monfils will know each win is vital here as they look to improve their chances of qualifying for London next month.
Vienna Open Semifinal Predictions
Gael Monfils vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-head: Monfils leads 2-1
This will be a big test for both players, and both will be needing a victory to have any outside chance of securing a place at the ATP Finals next month. Schwartzman looked out of form in the past few tournaments he has played in. The 27-year-old Argentine, before playing Vienna, suffered back-to-back first-round defeats in Shanghai and Antwerp. Despite having a good US Open by reaching the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets, the world no. 15 was unable to back up his Grand Slam success until this week in Vienna.
Monfils can be a bit up and down throughout the season. The Frenchman lost in the second round at Shanghai and was eliminated by teenager Jannik Sinner in Antwerp last week. Based on this form, no one would have expected Monfils to reach the semifinals here. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old has looked focussed all week and when he plays like how he has been playing all week, he will be tough to beat.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Dominic Thiem vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: Tied 1-1
The pair’s last meeting was just two weeks ago at the Shanghai Masters. The Italian got the better of the Austrian in China that time, as he beat the 26-year-old in straight sets 7-6 6-4. It will be completely different match-up with this time their meeting on Thiem’s backyard. But Berrettini has been in good form this week. The 23-year-old Italian has won all three tiebreaks he has been involved in and has only dropped one set. He beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the last round and the Russian was on a seven-match winning streak.
Berrettini has been handling the pressure well, in terms of these are must-win matches in order to secure qualification for the ATP Finals. Even though Thiem will come into this match as the favorite. But with the way Berrettini has been playing this week and his desire to be at the ATP Finals next month, it could be the extra motivating tool for the Italian to cause a major upset here.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
