Three of the four semifinalists in Marseille hail from the host nation, with the only outsider being Nick Kyrgios. The defending champion is going up against another former winner in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while an all-French affair will feature Richard Gasquet and Lucas Pouille.
(3) Nick Kyrgios vs. (2) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Tsonga and Kyrgios will be going head-to-head for the first time their careers when they battle for a spot in the final of the Open 13 on Saturday. The winner will be a considerable favorite to capture the title regardless of the other semi’s result. After all, they are combined 27-5 lifetime in Marseille with three titles (two for Tsonga and one for Kyrgios last year).
Kyrgios, in fact, has never even dropped a set at this tournament. The 16th-ranked Australian rolled to the winner’s trophy in 2016 and so far this week he has cruised past Malek Jaziri and Norbert Gombos. Tsonga, of course, represents a dramatic step up in competition level. The No. 2 seed, who is 20-5 in his Marseille career, is an outstanding 15-3 this season and coming off a title last week on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam. He has maintained momentum with straight-set Marseille victories over Illya Marchenko and Gilles Simon. Tsonga will have the crowd behind him, but nowhere is Kyrgios better than he is in Marseille and the 21-year-old has lost a laughable 14 total points in 18 service games this week.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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(6) Richard Gasquet vs. (4) Lucas Pouille
Pouille and Gasquet will be squaring off for the third time in their careers on Saturday. The head-to-head series is tied up at one win apiece, with Gasquet having gotten the job done 6-3, 7-6(6) two years ago in Montpellier before Pouille prevailed 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo last spring.
Gasquet is looking good on the indoor hard courts of France this month, coming off a recent runner-up finish in Montpellier. The 19th-ranked Frenchman has battled to a pair of three-set wins this week over Robin Haase and top-seeded Gael Monfils in addition to a more routine defeat of Mikhail Youzhny. Pouille had been a mere 1-3 in 2017 prior to his arrival in Marseille, but he is through to the last eight following hard-fought victories over Aljaz Bedene and Daniil Medvedev. Based on current form and experience in the latter stages of ATP events, Gasquet should have a slight edge over his younger countryman.
Pick: Gasquet in 3
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WWW?
Gasquet and Kyrgios in three
Why is Pouille sometimes listed as Louis?
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Thinking about Gasquet vs Pouille over 22,5 games. What do you thing guys?
I like it
Nick kyrgios vs jo-wilfried tsonga is a hard match to pick so my predictions are-
(1) Over 10.5 games in the 1 set at 2.46 odd.
(2) The match ends in 3 sets at 2.10 odd.
(3) Over 24.5 games at 1.82 odd.
Like I said this match is hard for me to pick but I think jo-wilfried Tsonga might win at 1.68 or you can make a bold pick and say he wins 1 set & match at 2.20 not straight sets because this match might in 3 set.
I have not had the time to watch this tournament because I have been so busy so I don’t know who is hot or not, I have just been following it on flashscore.com, if you have been watching it and have a different view please let me know I like to consider different opinions.
What’s your prediction in the doubles match between- N. Kyrigos & M. Reid vs R. Haase & D. inglot.
Richard gasquet wins 1 set & match at 1.77 odd or over 22.5 games at 1.83 odd.
Caroline Wozniacki to defeat elina svitolina at 1.72 or over 9.5 games in the 1 set at 1.98, this match might end in 3 sets at 2.23, I might even take the 3 sets to avoid picking a winner.
Please correct me if am wrong to pick C. Wozniacki, I know elina is ranked higher at she just defeated A. Kerber.
I would be watching some of the highlights on YouTube to know who is HOT or who is NOT.
I would be expecting your comments before the match starts.
My comment is do you believe in evolution Simple stanley?
As impressive as Elina Svitolina has been recently and no doubt has a bright future, the former #1, Caroline Wozniacki is on a mission to get back to the top or near there….time is running out and she wants the biggest titles – this one is 900 points. My pick is Caro. Probably 3 sets.
For more ideas about it go here:
http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/6351393/title/wozniacki-vs-svitolina-10-things-to-know-about-the-dubai-final
Pouille in 3.
It will only take him 3 because he is a notorious slow starter. Once he finds his stroke from the back, Gasquet will have to have a rub down every change over to relive the pain from running wind sprints 5 feet behind the baseline. Monfils had him running sidelines, but never had the confidence to follow the ball into the net. Pouille has hands softer then Prince George. There is no hesitation from Lucas getting to the net, and that’s going to get him into the final.
Prince George hands 😀
Tsonga v Kyrgios: My pre-tournament pick in this match is the defending champ, Kyrgios. But Tsonga is playing better than I expected at this point after winning Rotterdam last week. I’m not sure who wins – at all.
Both Tsonga and Gasquet want this little Marseille title is what I’m seeing. But Kyrgios can beat anyone on the right day. Pouille won’t go away easy and he could also knock out Gasquet. Great tennis, maybe… (slightly leaning toward Pouille)
rc,
I know that yesterday you posted the link to your bracket challenge, but I tried to find it and was unable to do so.
Can you post it again do that I can join for Acapulco?
Kyrgios over Tsonga
Gasquet over Pouille
Busta over Ruud
Thiem over Ramos
Sock over Young
Raonic over Delpo
Wozniacki over Svitolina
thanks for chiming in!
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