The semifinal stage in Adelaide is set with an intriguing lineup on Friday, headlined by top two seeds Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda. Paul is going up against Felix Auger-Aliassime, while Korda faces Miomir Kecmanovic.
(1) Tommy Paul vs. (5) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Paul and Auger-Aliassime will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they battle for a place in the Adelaide International final on Friday. Their only previous encounter was an absolute circus. At the 2023 Indian Wells Masters, Auger-Aliassime came back from 3-0 down in the third set, from 0-40 down at 5-6, and from 6-3 down in the decisive tiebreaker–saving six match points in total–to prevail 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6).
Auger-Aliassime may not require quite as much of a miracle to win the rematch, but he is certainly the underdog. The 29th-ranked Canadian went 4-9 in his last 13 tournament matches (not including Davis Cup) in 2024, so this success in Adelaide (wins over Arthur Cazaux and Marcos Giron) has been much needed. Paul, on the other hand, was awesome last season. The 27-year-old American is up to No. 12 in the world and has maintained his fine form with victories over Manuel Guinard and Rinky Hijikata. Chances are good that Paul’s rock-solid game will be too much for a more erratic Auger-Aliassime.
Pick: Paul in 2
Miomir Kecmanovic vs. (2) Sebastian Korda
Korda is two wins away from a title that would especially mean a lot to him based on what transpired at this event in 2023. The American came within one point of upsetting Novak Djokovic in the final, only to eventually lose 6-7(8), 7-6(4), 6-4. Korda finds himself back in the semis having barely broken a sweat, benefiting from a first-round bye and a quarterfinal walkover from Thanasi Kokkinakis to go along with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Wednesday.
Up next for the world No. 22 is a second meeting with Kecmanovic, who beat Korda 7-6(4), 6-3 at the 2022 Miami Masters. The 25-year-old Serb has been unspectacular in recent seasons and currently registers at 55th in the rankings. He has looked good this week with victories over Alexander Bublik, Christopher O’Connell, and Benjamin Bonzi, but Korda represents a considerable step up in competition level. The fact that Korda is well rested and will have no reservations about putting in a max effort prior to the Australian Open only helps the No. 2 seed.
Pick: Korda in 3
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