The Australian faithful will have one of their own in each Brisbane semifinal on Saturday. One (Nick Kyrgios) is expected; the other (Alex de Minaur) most definitely is not. Kyrgios is going up against Grigor Dimitrov, while de Minaur is facing Ryan Harrison.
(1) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (3) Nick Kyrgios
It will be a rematch of the 2017 Cincinnati Masters final when Dimitrov and Kyrgios meet again in the semifinals of the Brisbane International on Saturday afternoon. Dimitrov triumphed 6-3, 7-5 in Cincinnati for the biggest title of his career at the time, extending his head-to-head series lead to 2-0–having previously defeated Kyrgios 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(4) at the 2015 Indian Wells Masters. The third-ranked Bulgarian parlayed his momentum from Cincinnati into a berth in the Nitto ATP Finals, which he won while compiling a perfect 5-0 record. Picking up right where he left off last season, Dimitrov has opened in Brisbane with three-set victories over John Millman and Kyle Edmund.
Kyrgios also required three sets in each of his first two outings, beating Matthew Ebden 6-7(3), 7-6(5), 6-2 on Wednesday and Alexandr Dolgopolov 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday. The 21st-ranked Australian struggled with a minor knee issue against Ebden, but he has been able to keep points short–as usual–with big forehands and 31 total aces through two matches (18 against Edmund). This should be one of the most entertaining contests prior to the Australian Open later this month; a slight edge goes to Dimitrov as the defending Brisbane champion, and because his defense and athleticism have proven to just barely get the best of Kyrgios’ offense.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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(WC) Alex de Minaur vs. Ryan Harrison
A far more surprising affair will precede Dimitrov vs. Kyrgios, as Harrison and de Minaur are set to square off for the first time on Saturday. Harrison is unseeded at 47th in the rankings and is two wins away from what would be just his second career ATP title, but he is the relative veteran and easily the most established player of this particular duo. The 25-year-old American turned in the best season of his career in 2017 (including his first title in Memphis), and he is back in business in Brisbane with defeats of Leonardo Mayer, Yannick Hanfmann, and Denis Istomin.
Ranked No. 208 in the world, de Minaur’s run as a wild card has come completely out of nowhere. In fact, he has already doubled his lifetime victory total (three) this week alone. The 18-year-old Australian has not dropped a single set while ousting Steve Johnson (7-6(7), 6-4), Milos Raonic (6-4, 6-4), and Michael Mmoh (6-4, 6-0). With home-court advantage Down Under, an on-fire de Minaur has mostly cruised this week; Harrison, on the other hand, needed three sets against Mayer and Hanfmann prior to a 7-6(6) opening set against Istomin (the Uzbek soon retired down 4-2 in the second). de Minaur’s run may end in a pressure-packed final against a heavily-favored opponent in either Dimitrov or Kyrgios, but this is a good opportunity for his run to continue.
Pick: de Minaur in 3
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who ya got?
I agree with Ricky’s picks although I always maintain that the matches have to be played.
Kyrgios in three and harrison in two
Kyrgios is a injury faking piece of crap.
Uncle Sam,
You are correct! But mind your CRAPpy tounge!lol
But in Australia with 100% Aussie fan support Nick can win and make a CRAP out of our bet money!lol
Remember how Kyrgios beat the US Davis Cup team last year led by Jack Sock and the giant man!lol Kyrgios grows wings in Australia like any backyard dog (nah,,,just grows his tail a few inches longer in his backyard with his master around him!Ha,ha,ha…
So Sam, you bet big on Dimi then? With Dimi not in form and playing well I see this as a toss up match being decided in the decider!lol Just going with the over here and cheering for both to go to tie-breakers in all the 3 sets!lol
My gut is saying that this might be an ALL AUSSIE FINALS between Kyrgios and the teen ADM or DAMn good Alex De Minaur!
I’m betting half my rent on the mug kyrgios
Good job Uncle Sam in betting 50% of your rent money on the “mug kyrgios” and made handsome profits!
Kyrgios is not bad all the time. In conditions like these (in Kangaroo land with full Aussie support and lucky for us that Dimi was not in his top form) Kyrgios will reward his fans. Outside of Aussieland, you have to be very careful betting on the Kyrgios!
Anyone who bets on a match involving NK deserves whatever the heck happens! Because anything can.
PICKS
Hardo Harry ML -150
Dimigorg ML -125
Anyone watching the Harrison vs De Minaur match? The kid De Minaur is so quick and aggressive, a bit like Shapo and he’s also 18 year old.
I can’t help but compare both of them to young Rafa; I think Rafa was still quicker than both and hit with more precision and with even better court craft, but they certainly have bigger serves than young Rafa.
De Minaur hits quite flat though (unlike the king of clay). He does have that Rafa heart fight and speed though.
Not as quick as Rafa, if you’ve watched Rafa vs Fed Miami 2004, you would’ve noticed how incredible Rafa’s speed was, his gets were unbelievable; Minaur is no where near.
Kyrgios just gave me the money back. The money I bet against kyrgios. He gonna destroy Ryan Harrison. I can’t see Harrison breaking that power serve.
Uncle Sam, you may be right with your above vision.
Like Kyrgios ML.
Hope we get Kyrgios as a dog! That would be like hitting a lottery!lol Like the over also as Ryan is playing with confidence and will be motivated to win the match as he will get a huge pay cheque along with the Brisbane Open trophy as Bonus!.