With just a few days to go until the start of the most prestigious event in tennis, we’re left with the final four at an ATP 250 in Eastbourne and truth be said, it’s not a lineup many people would have expected. Taylor Fritz, however, is still in the event and without a doubt heavy favourite to take home the title.
ATP Eastbourne Semifinal Predictions
Max Purcell vs Billy Harris
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Although barely ranked in the Top 100 going into this week, Max Purcell was in the world’s top 40 just eight months ago and almost beating the likes of current world no.3 Carlos Alcaraz. Since August, it’s all been downhill with not even back-to-back wins on the main tour before this week. It’s completely out of nowhere as well, last year the Aussie didn’t win a single match on grass in three events played and the same in 2024 on the main tour losing in the first rounds of Hertogenbosch and Halle. It seems an easy qualifying draw on paper in Eastbourne, which he won both matches in straight sets has led to finding some sort of form in good wins against Djere, Sonego, and Kecmanovic to make the semis.
When Purcell is playing well, he’s solid from the baseline, something that wild card Billy Harris will struggle with. The Brit may well be having the best week of his career but it was to be said that his draw to the final four is as easy as it gets on the main tour with two of his three wins coming against players outside the world’s top 240.
Prediction: Purcell in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Aleksander Vukic
Head-to-head: Fritz 1-0
There were wild scenes on Thursday evening with lucky loser Vukic avenging his final round qualifying loss to Yoshihito Nishioka in a thrilling final set tiebreak. Unfortunately for him, in the last four he plays Taylor Fritz, the man who beat him in last year’s Atlanta final.
Vukic’s game can be dangerous when playing well but Fritz, the favorite starting the week and rightfully so, hasn’t faced too much trouble so far without dropping a set and being clutch when needed. Fritz has the better serve, the more dependable ground game and better forecourt skills to finish points off. Expect the two-time champion to make yet another final in England.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
