The final four players are set at the ATP Hall of Fame Championships in Newport. Local fans will be excited to enjoy an all-American semifinal to begin the day, showcasing veteran John Isner against young talent Maxime Cressy. The other match with be equally entertaining with Alexander Bublik’s unpredictability and shotmaking against veteran Jason Kubler who seems to finally be playing high-level tennis after a career hampered by injuries. Both matches should be competitive as the players fight for a chance to play for the final grass court title of 2022.
ATP Newport Semifinal Predictions
Jason Kubler vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kubler is the lone player not seeded in the top four to make the semifinal. He took out top-seed Auger-Aliassime in the second round for his first career Top 10 win then countryman James Duckworth in the quarterfinal. That brings his record to an impressive 9-1 on grass for the year, including Wimbledon qualifying.
Bublik has a good record on grass both this year and in his career. He can rely on his big serve and drop shots to trouble opponents and throw them off their rhythm. This season has seen a good record on paper, though he does not have many huge wins. He has beaten the players he should beat and lost to the ones he should lose to for the most part. Kubler is an interesting fit because on paper Bublik has a far better resume, though Kubler’s talent and current form stack up to Bublik.
Kubler looks to be in dominating form in Newport. He only dropped one set in three matches and that came against Auger-Aliassime. He has yet to make a tour-level final and will be hungry to do so. Kubler will need the focus to get past Bublik whose antics throw off some of the best players on tour. Bublik’s talent is certainly there as well and it was on full display in a convincing straight set win over Andy Murray.
This will be very close with either player having chances to pull through and win. Kubler knows with his career that nothing is guaranteed and he will be extremely motivated to make the most of this opportunity. That motivation combined with his excellent play on grass will be what he needs to come out of the gates strong to win the first set and outhit Bublik to reach the final.
Prediction: Kubler in 2
John Isner vs Maxime Cressy
Head-to-head: 1-0 Cressy
This will be a rematch of a tight five-set first round match earlier this year at the Australian Open. As expected, it was a service exhibition with the server winning more than 80% of the points. Cressy secured the only two breaks of serve the entire match, which made the difference in his victory. On a faster grass court, the serves will be even more exaggerated, making breaks less likely. Isner has played better in tiebreaks, with a 22-17 record on the year including 2-1 against Cressy, who is just 20-21 overall. Isner has broken serve three times in his two matches here, while getting broken just twice. Cressy has an impressive four breaks without being broken.
This match could go either way due to the massive serves on each player. Cressy has fared better overall in his service games, but that may not matter if he is unable to get to the serve of Isner. Isner is more comfortable on grass and has had strong results in the past on the surface. Cressy looks in better form and has shown he can win those key points in big matches, like his grass court victories this year over Cam Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Cressy will once again find a way to win those key points and score his second win of the year over his countryman in a three-setter after getting the lone break of the match and splitting two tiebreaks.
Prediction: Cressy in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
