Albert Montanes is the last seed remaining as action in Marrakech progresses to the semifinals on Saturday. Montanes is going up against Federico Delbonis, while Borna Coric is facing Jiri Vesely.
(8) Jiri Vesely vs. (3) Borna Coric
Coric and Vesely will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they clash in the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II on Saturday. They previously squared off two months ago in Dubai, where Coric won a first-round encounter 6-4, 6-4. The 19-year-old Croat has played only one match this week, as he earned a bye as the No. 3 seed before getting a walkover from Simone Bolelli. Coric then fought past Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and six minutes on Friday.
Vesely, on the other hand, has pocketed three victories. In between straight-set defeats of Spaniards Inigo Cervantes and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, the 55th-ranked Czech outlasted Croatian qualifier Nikola Mektic 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-6(5) in three hours and one minute. Vesely had been a horrendous 1-7 this year prior to his arrival in Marrakech, while Coric is a more respectable 10-9. The world No. 48 should have plenty left in the tank thanks to his good fortune earlier in the week, despite the fact that he played for more than three hours in the quarterfinals. Vesely has spent far more time on the court and clay is not exactly conducive to his game.
Pick: Coric in 2
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(4) Federico Delbonis vs. Albert Montanes
Delbonis and Montanes will be facing each other for the fourth time in their careers on Saturday. Not surprisingly, all three of their previous meetings have come on clay. Delbonis has prevailed on every occasion; 6-1, 6-4 at the 2013 Buenos Aires event, 6-4, 6-3 one season later in Sao Paulo, and 7-5, 6-1 last year at a Challenger tournament in Rome.
Montanes has no reason to rue his past failures in this head-to-head series; he should simply be thrilled that he finds himself in a semifinal. The 35-year-old Spaniard had been just 1-2 at the ATP level in 2016 prior to this week and he is toiling down at 125th in the rankings. So far in Marrakech he has taken out Franko Skugor, Daniel Gimeno-Traver, and Facundo Bagnis in straight sets. This is where the extremely favorable draw ends, as Delbonis owns 13 match victories this season and recently upset Andy Murray en route to the Indian Wells fourth round. The 47th-ranked Argentine did not surrender a set or even go to a tiebreaker in early-round wins over Thiem De Bakker and Pablo Carreno Busta in Marrakech. Delbonis will dictate play with his heavy topspin forehand on a consistent basis and should not really let Montanes into the match.
Pick: Delbonis in 2
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who ya got?
Delbonis and Coric to set up the final I originally predicted at the start of the week with Federico in straights and Borna in three. If they win that might be the first time I’ve predicted a final of a tournament at the start of it. One of the first at least. Personally I’m rooting for Coric and Montanes but I think the favorites will prevail. I expect vesely to give Coric a tough match but the young Croat should prevail. As for Delbonis and Montanes Federico could face some problems but shouldn’t be too troubled overall.
YOU’RE PREDICTIONS ARE ON COURSE SO FAR, CORIC JUST PLAYED A GREAT TB TO TAKE THE FIRST SET.
congratulations to me!
The Marrakesh SF between Coric and Vesely was by far the more interesting match to watch. And a far higher level of tennis than that on offer in Houston.
The first SF in Houston was played between interesting players, the Marrakesh SF between Coric and Vesely wasn’t. 🙂
Each to their own ?
The only problem I have had with Marakesh is the morgue-like atmosphere. Most matches have been played in front of sparse – sometimes non-existent – spectators. At least Houston has a great ambience and an enthusiastic audience although I could’ve done without the false bonhomiel of the commentators 🙁