Four red-hot players make up the Munich semifinals on Saturday, highlighted by a showdown between Miomir Kecmanovic and Botic van de Zandschulp. Germany’s own Oscar Otte is going up against rising star Holger Rune.
(7) Miomir Kecmanovic vs. (8) Botic van de Zandschulp
Kecmanovic and van de Zandschulp will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this spring when they battle for a spot in the BMW Open final on Saturday. Their only previous meeting came last month at the Indian Wells Masters, where Kecmanovic prevailed 7-6(3), 7-5 during third-round action on his way to the quarterfinals.
It has only been full steam ahead for the 38th-ranked Serb. He has now reached at least the quarters of six consecutive tournaments, including the semis this week following straight-set wins over Max Hans Rehberg, Daniel Altmaier, and Nikoloz Basilashvili. Kecmanovic is an awesome 22-8 for his 2022 campaign. Van de Zandschulp has advanced in Munich with straight-set defeats of Brandon Nakashima, Egor Gerasimov, and Casper Ruud. This has all the makings of a great match, but Kecmanovic is simply one of the best players on tour right now and he will take additional confidence from their recent Indian Wells result.
Pick: Kecmanovic in 2
(WC) Holger Rune vs. Oscar Otte
Rune is already up to No. 70 in the world at 19 years old (he turned 19 on Friday) and he will surely be soaring into the top 30 in the near future once he figures out the ATP level on the heels of juniors, Futures, and Challengers domination. The Dane is certainly doing just that in Munich, where has not dropped a single set in victories over Jiri Lehecka, Alexander Zverev, and Emil Ruusuvuori. Rune’s last five set scores are 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0, and 6-2. He is now 11-2 on clay this spring–a Challenger event and ATP qualifying included.
Up next for Rune is a first-ever meeting with Otte, who is also playing in an ATP-level semifinal for the first time in his career. The world No. 62 also hasn’t surrendered a set in Munich, disposing of Marko Topo, Reilly Opelka, and Alejandro Tabilo. Otte would probably have the edge if he can turn this into long, physical contest, but that isn’t really his style and with Rune in this kind of form the German may not be able to.
Pick: Ruud in 2
WWW?
Kec seems to be playing well, but he actually does not have many big wins, still Kec gets it done here in 2 as Botic got a gift from Ruud in the last one.
I did not know Ruud was still in the event, anyway this looks to be Rune’s coming out week as he’s putting it all together at ATP level now, this match loojs to be interesting as Otte is hot at home right now, it could go 3, but I feel Rune is just too good for Otte right now so probably Rune in 2.