The winner of the second semifinal will take on Spain on Sunday at the ATP Cup. Last year’s champions, Russia, have a weaker team this year but have managed to top their group regardless. Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime have also carried their country to the final four. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Cup Semifinal Predictions
Roman Safiullin vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-head: First meeting
Roman Safiullin had to step up as Russia’s No. 2 player following Andrey Rublev and Aslan Karatsev’s COVID-19 related withdrawals. Luckily for the team, the 24-year-old was able to completely exceed expectations, pulling off his best-ever wins against James Duckworth and Arthur Rinderknech. He also lost a tightly-contested two-setter to Jannik Sinner. The Russian is a former junior Grand Slam champion and has finally managed to show his potential on the big stage.
However, he’s going to be facing an uphill battle against Denis Shapovalov. The Canadian kicked off his ATP Cup campaign with a loss to Dan Evans but has since shaken off the rust with a win over Jan-Lennard Struff. The 22-year-old is on a light upset alert if Safiullin can continue his ATP Cup heroics, but in most likelihood, he should be able to control the baseline and play the match on his terms, avoiding the Russian’s dangerous forehand.
Predictions: Shapovalov in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Medvedev 2-0
After going undefeated in team competitions last year, Daniil Medvedev enjoyed a fair share of trouble in the group stage. The Russian lost to Ugo Humbert in the opening match, before going on to win the next two. That included a thriller against Matteo Berrettini, whose backhand held up nicely against the 2021 US Open champion. Medvedev has two head-to-head wins over his next opponent, Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Canadian also started his 2022 campaign with a loss (to Taylor Fritz), but impressed by taking out Alexander Zverev on Thursday. This matchup requires similar abilities, being able to hold as easily as Medvedev and constructing the points nicely to try to make them shorter. Auger-Aliassime is no doubt capable of pulling off the upset, but would have to play lights out again. It’s not a pleasant matchup and unless he’s firing on all cylinders from the get-go, Medvedev should take it.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
