Matteo Berrettini will try to book his second consecutive final (Stuttgart last week) as he takes on Botic van de Zandschulp in Queen’s Club on Saturday. The resurgent Marin Cilic will also be in action against Filip Krajinovic.
(2) Matteo Berrettini vs. Botic van de Zandschulp
Matteo Berrettini leads the charge at Queen’s Club this week. He returned to the tour in Stuttgart last week and came away with the title. Berrettini is going for title two of the season this week, but he will have to get through Botic van de Zandschulp to earn his spot in the final.
Van de Zandschulp had a patchy start to the grass-court season–losing in the first round in s’Hertogenbosch to Emil Ruusuvuori–but he’s made up for it this week. The Dutchman went three sets to British qualifier Paul Jubb, but he breezed through Grigor Dimitrov and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to book his place opposite Berrettini in the semis.
Berrettini is the more experienced grass-court player and he won their only other match, a 2021 second-round encounter at Wimbledon. The Italian has gotten a bit better with each match since his return from hand surgery last week. Berrettini’s game is likely to be too big and too consistent for the underdog.
Cheryl pick: Berrettini in 3
Ricky pick: Berrettini in 2
(7) Marin Cilic vs. Filip Krajinovic
Marin Cilic is one of the biggest stories of the spring. The world No. 17 came somewhat out of nowhere to make the semifinals of the French Open. He upended Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev before going down in the semis to Casper Ruud. Queen’s Club is Cilic’s first foray onto grass since his run at Roland Garros.
Krajinovic played well to earn his spot in the semifinals, but he has also benefitted from a favorable draw. The Serb hasn’t faced a single seed this week, with wins over Jenson Brooksby, Sam Querrey, and Ryan Peniston. But the world No. 48 now runs into an inspired Cilic.
With the form Cilic has displayed in the past month, this semi might be over quickly. The Croat is a two-time Queen’s Club champion and generally a great grass player.
Cheryl pick: Cilic in 2
Ricky pick: Cilic in 2
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