The ATP event in Dubai has given us some quality matches, drama and also some unpredictable results. We’re now into the last four and Quentin Halys is entering his first ATP 500 semifinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime. In the other semi we have Greek ace Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tallon Griekspoor. Let’s look closer at that matchup and our predictions.
Tsitsipas v Griekspoor
The 11th-ranked Tsitsipas is finally showing some form again and comes off two consecutive 3-set battles against Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini, after a first round victory over Lorenzo Sonego. He is a previous finalist here in Dubai, both in 2019 and 2020. The Greek is also known for never winning the ATP 500 events and is currently at 0-11 in these finals (!).
Griekspoor has really looked strong in the decisive moments of the matches here in Dubai, saving several match points both against Roman Safiullin and Medvedev in tough 3-setters. The Dutch also needed three sets to see off defending champion Ugo Humbert. Some pretty impressive wins but will we see some fatigue going forward?
H2H
This will be the third meeting between these two players and currently Tsitsipas holds a 2-0 lead in their head-to-head. Their last game was very recently, at the ATP Rotterdam where Tsitsipas won 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 7-5 after a long and intense battle.
Predictions and Odds
Both of them had came out of tough and long matches to reach the semi’s and the question is, who has the most energy for another possible three-set clash? This is the first time in a while we see Tsitsipas deep in a tournament on hard-courts and I’m sure he wants to regain his form and consistency for the coming clay season. Griekspoor will feel he has the momentum at the moment after some close wins and is out for revenge on the Greek.
Looking at the odds, Tsitsipas is a clear favorite at around 1.57 (-175) and a win for Griekspoor gives 2.37 (+137.5).
The Greek is the more experience player but is showing inconsistency more than once in a while. The odds should in our opinion be a bit more even and I believe we can expect yet another tough match on Friday.
Prediction: We’re going with Griekspoor to cover the handicap in this one.
Our bet: Game Handicap, Griekspoor +2.5, at odds 1.68 (or -150).
