The semifinals are set at this week’s ATP 500 event in Tokyo, with three of the top four seeds still alive, the only “intruder” being Jenson Brooksby, who scored a fantastic win over #3 seed Holger Rune to make it to this stage. On paper, everything seems to indicate we will have a rematch of last week’s Laver Cup match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz, but Brooksby and Casper Ruud will certainly do their best to throw a spanner in the works–and they can certainly at least provide interesting and competitive matches.
ATP Tokyo Semifinal Predictions
Taylor Fritz vs Jenson Brooksby
Head-to-head: Fritz 2-1 Brooksby
Fritz won very easily both times the pair faced each other this year, but Brooksby has been steadily upping his level throughout the year and will certainly be a much tougher nut to crack this time. That said, Fritz has established himself as one of the best and most consistent players in the world, rarely losing when he is expected to win. While Brooksby certainly has a chance if he can keep the level he has been showing this week, you would back Fritz to be the one to execute better in the most important points.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 4-1 Ruud
As well as Ruud has been playing this week, Alcaraz is having an all-time great season and beating him is pretty much the toughest task in tennis right now. While in previous years he tended to drop his level after Wimbledon, this year that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Despite some ankle concerns earlier in the week, the Spaniard has been playing better and better as the tournament goes on and it would take something seriously special from Ruud to prevent Alcaraz from reaching what would be his tenth final of the year.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
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