The 2019 ATP Metz Open semi-finals will be played on Saturday, September 21 as the remaining players look to make it to the title-decider. Latest Benoit Paire v Aljaz Bedene & Lucas Pouille v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tips and predictions with their previews along with others can be found below.
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Benoit Parie v Aljaz Bedene Preview
The only non French player remaining in the tournament, Aljaz Bedene plays Frenchman Benoit Paire in the semi-finals at Metz. The players have met six times, with Paire leading the head-to-head 4-2.
Bedene and Paire have already met twice this year, splitting the results. Their most recent US Open meeting was a monumental affair, going five sets, with Bedene coming back from two sets down to win in a final set tiebreak.
Paire has had a strong season and performed well to be ranked just outside the top 20 in the world at the moment. He has continued his good form at the tournament winning a tight duel with fellow countryman Richard Gasquet, and then defeating young Frenchman Gregoire Barrere. Paire will fancy his chances at a title this weekend, in familiar conditions.
Slovenian Ajaz Bedene has surprised many a tennis fan this week, with victories against Giles Simon and Pablo Carreno Busta, in match-ups where he was not favored to win. He will be aware that the odds and crowds will be stacked against him, but will have new found confidence from his earlier rounds going for him.
Expect an interesting match, with Bedene bouyed by his US Open comeback against Paire, and by his performance this week. Paire, on the other hand, will look to avenge his loss in New York, and solidify his ranking and season further. The Frenchman to win a spirited battled in three sets.
Tip: Paire to win in three sets: 7/2 (888Sport)
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Lucas Pouille v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Preview
Frenchmen Lucas Pouille and Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga meet in the semi-finals at Metz, for the fifth meeting of their career. The head-to-head is currently tied at 2-2.
After a labored win against Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar, Tsonga looked convincing in his win against countryman Pierre Hugues Herbert and then came back from a set down against Nikoloz Basilashvili, before the Georgian retired in the final set.
Tsonga is returning from an injury layoff last year, and while his season has been up and down, he has performed well in tournaments in France on a consistent basis, both historically and this year.
Lucas Pouille is looking to get back to the form that saw him reach the top ten of the world rankings early last year. Barring an Australian Open semi-final, his season has not been one of promise yet. This week he has not been particularly challenged; however he was pushed by Filip Krajinovic to three sets.
An intriguing battle between the two Frenchmen lies ahead, with both aiming for top honors to bolster their season and ranking. Not a lot to chose between the two, but expect Pouille to edge through in a three-setter.
Tip: Pouille to win in three sets: 15/4 (888Sport)