There are still two matches to be played before the French Open begins, and those will take center stage in Geneva and Lyon on Saturday. Grigor Dimitrov, Nicolas Jarry, Francisco Cerundolo, and Arthur Fils are all bidding for ATP titles.
Geneva Open: Nicolas Jarry vs. (4) Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov appeared to be on his way to Roland Garros when he trailed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 4-2 in the Geneva semifinals on Friday, but the 33rd-ranked Bulgarian stormed back for a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(2) victory. With that Dimitrov is through to his first final since February of 2018 (Rotterdam) and is bidding for his first title since triumphing at the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals.
Standing in his way on Saturday is Jarry, who already has an ATP title to his credit this year–at home in Santiago, Chile. The world No. 54 is through to another final thanks to wins this week at the expense of Dusan Lajovic, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev. This is a tough one to call, but Jarry also knows good and well that ATP titles do not come easily; he owns just two of them in his career. Even with the French Open looming, Dimitrov should be extremely motivated given his extended title drought and his defense may be able to get the best of Jarry’s offense.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon: (WC) Arthur Fils vs. (4) Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo and Fils will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they battle for the Lyon title. In fact, Cerundolo had probably never even heard of Fils prior to this season. The 18-year-old had never won a match on the main tour and he was ranked No. 251 in the world at the beginning of 2023. Fast forward five months and Fils comes in at 112th; he is projected to reach No. 85 on Monday even if he loses the final. The fast-rising Frenchman has been part of a wild week in Lyon, getting a default from Mikael Ymer and a walkover from Felix Auger-Aliassime to go along with victories over Zhizhen Zhang and Brandon Nakashima–the latter in a third-set tiebreaker.
Whereas Fils’ semifinal lasted two hours and 55 minutes on Friday, Cerundolo wiped Cameron Norrie off the court 6-3, 6-0 in an hour and 12 minutes. That was preceded by defeats of Juan Pablo Varillas and Jack Draper, with only Draper managing to take a set. The 28th-ranked Argentine is outstanding on clay and playing the best tennis of his career, so he should be able to take advantage of an inexperienced and fatigued opponent.
Pick: Cerundolo in 2
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WWW?
I don’t think Fils will be too fatigued considering two of his opponents retired in this tournament, and he will have the partisan crowd on his side. If Fils bangs in the aces and keeps up a good first serve percentage, he can be competitive.
Dtrov in 3….he’s due to win another tourney; and Dolo in straight.
Oh my Gosh, Ceremony in Strasbourg and Blinkova giving her rummer-up speech in fluent French.
Congrats, Elina Svitolina! adding, “Slava Ukraine.”
Pleased Elina is back on the Winning Track.