John Isner and Dominic Thiem will collide in an intriguing Nice semifinal matchup on Friday. Leonardo Mayer and Borna Coric are also bidding for a spot in the title match.
Dominic Thiem vs. (2) John Isner
Isner and Thiem will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the Open de Nice Cote d’Azur on Friday. With the French Open just days away, Isner has already turned in his best result at this event in his fourth appearance. The 17th-ranked American reached the quarterfinals in 2012 and 2014 but is now through to the semis following victories over Steve Johnson and Dusan Lajovic. Isner has won multiple matches at four consecutive tournaments (all on European clay).
Also in stellar form, Thiem has picked up multiple match wins in three straight events (Munich, Rome, and now Nice). The 42nd-ranked Austrian has advanced this week without dropping a set while taking out Victor Estrella Burgos, Nick Kyrgios (via retirement), and Ernests Gulbis. Thiem excels at taking his backhand early, which will help counter Isner’s powerful inside-out forehand to the ad side of the court. Still, the No. 2 seed’s style of play and kick serve to the backhand is always difficult for a one-hander.
Pick: Isner in 3
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Borna Coric vs. (4) Leonardo Mayer
Mayer and Coric will be facing each other for the second time in their careers and for the second time in Nice. A 2014 first-round showdown went Mayer’s way via a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 decision. The fourth-seeded Argentine is through to the semifinals this year following straight-set defeats of Lucas Pouille and Juan Monaco. Mayer is a decent 14-11 on the season with a recent third-round showing in Madrid.
Coric capitalized on a wide-open quarter in which No. 1 seed Gilles Simon withdrew and fifth-seeded Bernard Tomic retired in the first round. The 18-year-old Croat has advanced by beating Sam Groth, Gianni Mina, and James Duckworth all in straight sets. This is a considerable step up in competition for Coric, who would rather go up against Mayer on a hard court.
Pick: Mayer in 3
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