Andrey Rublev and Adrian Mannarino will fight for a spot in the Astana semifinals on Friday in a section of the draw left open with the ouster of Carlos Alcaraz. Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
(5) Andrey Rublev vs. Adrian Mannarino
World No. 9 Andrey Rublev has had a good end of season so far. He made the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, where he suffered an emotional loss to American Frances Tiafoe. This week in Astana is his first tournament since New York. He has a great chance to at least make the semifinals.
Rublev’s opponent is Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. The world No. 51 won the event in Winston-Salem heading into the U.S. Open, but after that he had lost in the first round of each tournament he had played until this week.
Mannarino actually defeated Rublev the last time the two men played in Moscow of last year. But given Mannarino’s form and the ease with which Rublev made his way to the quarters, expect this one to go the Russian’s way.
Cheryl pick: Rublev in 2
Ricky pick: Rublev in 2
(3) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (7) Hubert Hurkacz
Stefanos Tsitsipas has an absolutely terrible time at the U.S. Open. It’s his worst slam. The world No. 6 has never made it past the third round, but this year produced a particularly poor result with the Greek losing in the first round to world No. 94 Daniel Elahi Galan. Tsitsipas was bageled and breadsticked in the first two sets of that match.
Tsitsipas posted a couple of Davis Cup wins and one victory over Diego Schwartzman at the Laver Cup. He has earned two straight-set victories this week, but he had to work hard in the second round against qualifier Luca Nardi–who took Tsitsipas to two tiebreak sets.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz comes into Astana off a run to the semifinals in Metz. Hurkacz has only beaten Tsitsipas twice in the eight times they have played, but one of them was their last meeting at the 2021 Miami Masters. This could be an entertaining match. Hurkacz is usually at his best on grass and quick hard courts, so the surface should be a slight benefit for Tsitsipas. Hurkacz, though, is in better form at the moment. This one should go the distance.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 3
Ricky pick: Hurkacz in 3
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