Roger Federer will take on Daniil Medvedev for a spot in the Basel finals, while Zverev will battle qualifier Marius Copil.
(1) Roger Federer vs. (7) Daniil Medvedev
Ordinarily, Roger Federer would be the prohibitive favorite on just about any tennis court in the world, but the Swiss seems a bit vulnerable right now. Daniil Medvedev will enjoy an excellent opportunity to get revenge for the defeat Federer handed to him in Shanghai a couple weeks ago.
Medvedev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarters; the match was the last one of the night on Friday, so fatigue could be a factor for the Russian. Of course, Federer found himself in a lengthy battle against the French veteran Gilles Simon in his own quarterfinal match on Friday evening, so Medvedev might not be the only who is tired on Saturday.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Federer in 3
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(2) Alexander Zverev vs. Marius Copil
Marius Copil is currently ranked No. 93 in the world, low enough that he was forced to qualify to gain entry to the Swiss Indoors. Even if he loses to Alexander Zverev, he will still pick up 180 ranking points. Unfortunately for the Copil camp, the Romanian now runs into an in-form Sascha Zverev.
Zverev comes into the Basel event off a semifinal showing at the Shanghai Masters. He took a sound beating at the hands of eventual champion Novak Djokovic, but he ousted three top-40 players along the way.
As Copil often fails to make it out of the qualifying round, a semifinal showing at an ATP 500 event is a bit of a Cinderella run. He will very likely lose to the towering German, but the rankings bump will be most welcome.
Cheryl pick: Zverev in 2
Ricky pick: Zverev in 2
Well, I hate to pick against Fed in Basel, but he has certainly been looking vulnerable this week so I’ll go with Medvedev in 3. Let’s see what the kid is really made of up against the reigning GOAT.
Also agree with Cheryl that Copil has come to the end of the line.
Fed and Zverev in straights
Fed in 2.
The other one is difficult to predict. If Zverev keeps his calm, he can win but not easily.
This is definitely Copil’s life tourney. I was joking a few days ago he’ll play the final against Fed after saw him serving and playing so well.
Medvedev in 3 and I expect Copil and Zverev to be closer than people think
GOAT may be vulnerable this week, but he’s still GOAT, so I like him in 3….and yes, train has reached the station for Copil.
Fed in three 67 64 64 Zverev in two 76 64
Well, Copil reached the station in style and will continue his journey tomorrow. How is this guy not in the top 100? Strictly an indoor player?
I had a feeling Roger wins in straights and raises his level for this one. I’m really glad he did as I’m also not a huge fan of Medvedev lol. Great performance Roger!!
Yeah, disappointed Tsitsipas wasn’t his opponent . He’s like a young Federer .