It’s an interesting semifinal lineup in Houston, where three huge servers are joined by one clay-court specialist. Reilly Opelka is going up against Nick Kyrgios, while Cristian Garin battles John Isner on Saturday.
(4) John Isner vs. (5) Cristian Garin
Kyrgios appears to be making the most of his only clay-court tournament of the season. The 26-year-old Australian, who won’t be back until the grass-court swing once the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship ends, is through to the semifinals thanks to wins over Mackenzie McDonald and Tommy Paul (he also got a quarterfinal walkover from Michael Mmoh). This run is surprising because of the surface, but Kyrgios has been playing well for a while now. The world No. 94 reached the Indian Wells quarters (lost to Rafael Nadal) and the Miami fourth round (lost to Jannik Sinner).
Up next for him on Saturday in Houston is a second career contest against Opelka, who won their only previous meeting 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 at last summer’s Toronto Masters. The 6’11” American earned a first-round bye in Houston as the third seed before defeating Mitchell Krueger and Gijs Brouwer. That competition level is unspectacular at best, so facing Kyrgios could be a whole different story. Although Kyrgios generally dislikes clay, what appears to matter more is that he loves playing in the United States — and it’s not like Opelka is comfortable on the red stuff, either.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
(4) John Isner vs. (5) Cristian Garin
This Houston event appears to be just what the doctor ordered for both Isner and Garin. Isner is obviously in great doubles form coming off the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami, but singles success has been much harder to come by. The 36-year-old American had been 6-8 in 2022 prior to this week. Garin had been 3-7, including 0-5 in his last five matches dating back to the Australian Open.
It is all turning around this week for each player. Isner saved a match point in his opener against Steve Johnson and with momentum from that escape he ousted Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 on Friday night. Garin came back from a double-break down in the third set to beat Jack Sock and then also scraped past Jordan Thompson and Taylor Fritz in three sets. On any other surface the Chilean would be an underdog, but he is obviously the superior clay-court player and even on hard courts he leads the head-to-head series with Isner 2-1.
Pick: Garin in 3
WWW?
Garin is the underdog by betting odds Ricky. I find it a little strange, as you are correct, this is his best surface.
Another tantrum from Nick. The idiot!
If that’s his personality, i.e. he’s someone that struggles deal with ignorance and injustice, why can’t he express himself? You just expressed yourself now. Why can’t he do the same?
I’m sure plenty people think you’re an idiot for being a mindless follower that contributes nothing of substance, but you don’t see people saying that about you every time you comment.
Nick is a fantastic player but every time he starts shouting and swearing at the ref he loses the match. Or does he shout and swear because he is losing the match?
It’s not a good look.
I think it’s a great look because he is being himself and exercising his right to free speech.
Well done me -Opelka Isner final
They can play on clay
Congrats, but a final I wont be watching. You?
Too busy watching the golf
Looks to be only one winner though
Fade this guy picks, they suck