The 2019 ATP China Open semi-finals are on Saturday, October 5 with some of the top men’s players in action on the day. Get the Karen Khachanov v Dominic Thiem & Alexander Zverev v Stefanos Tsitsipas tips, previews and predictions below along with that for a couple of other matches below.
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Karen Khachanov v Dominic Thiem Predictions & Preview
The two players meet for the third time in their careers, for a spot in the ATP 500 final in Beijing. While Thiem defeating Khachanov on the Roland Garros clay this year, the Russian prevailed against the Austrian en route his Paris Masters 1000 title last November.
This is an important tournament for both players earmarked as the future of men’s tennis. While both came into the season with a lot of promise, and have lived up to it at different times, the second half of this year has not been particularly positive for either player.
After winning his first ever Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, and having a strong clay court season, the Austrian has had a mix of illness and poor form that saw him lose early at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Thiem has looked good this week and will be inspired by a convincing win against a resurgent Andy Murray in the previous round.
Khachanov is well suited to the hard and indoor courts, and was set up for a strong 2019, after winning the last Masters 1000 of 2018, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final at the Paris Masters. However, this season has not been one of consistence for him, and he will look to end it on a good note. A comeback in the quarterfinals against Fabio Fognini to win in three sets will do a world of good to his confidence going into the semi finals.
There is not a lot to choose between these two players, whose seasons have had similar journeys in recent times. No obvious favorite here, and it will come down to who plays the key points better. A tough one to pick, but the slightly more seasoned Thiem to win in three sets.
Tip: Thiem to win in three sets: 7/2 with Unibet
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Alexander Zverev v Stefanos Tsitsipas Predictions & Preview
Similar to the first semi-final, we have two players meeting here, who are again among those earmarked as the next generation of tennis. Alexander Zverev will look to tie the head-to-head with Stefanos Tsitsipas at 2-2 and qualify for the China Open final, in Beijing.
Both Zverev and Tsitsipas are among the more ‘gloried’ of the ‘Next Gen’ of tennis players. Their careers have been through ups and downs already, and the recent trajectory has not been the most encouraging.
Zverev had a promising 2017-2018, winning three ATP Masters 1000 titles, the ATP Tour Finals in London, and being ranked number 3 in the world. This season has been comparatively poor, with plenty of disappoint losses, and only one ATP 250 title in his bag. He seems to have turned his form around, after a crucial Laver Cup deciding win, and has been in impressive form thus far this week.
Tsitsipas had a strong end to 2018 and a good first half of 2019, being an Australian Open semi-finalist, winning ATP 250s, and having a good season on clay. The grass and US hard court seasons were disappointing, and he comes to Beijing hoping to cement his spot soon for the Tour Finals in London. The Greek has impressed with wins over title holder Nikoloz Basilashvilli and big-serving American John Isner, and will hope to end the week on a positive note from here.
Similar to the Thiem- Khachanov encounter, not much to choose here, between two very promising players. A lot at stake for both, and really a ’50-50′ match for both. Expect Zverev to take his new found confidence and inch through to Sunday’s final.
Tip: Zverev to win in three sets: 7/2 with Unibet
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