Tallon Griekspoor and Sebastian Korda will be squaring off for the second time in their careers when they collide in the Libema Open semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Their only previous encounter came on the indoor hard courts of Astana in 2023, when Korda prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
This ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament should give Griekspoor his best chance for revenge. The 23rd-ranked Dutchman is playing in front of the home fans and he treated them to the title last summer, his second on the ATP following the same success in Pune at the start of 2023. Griekspoor is two wins away from going back-to-back thanks to defeats of Miomir Kecmanovic, Mackenzie McDonald, and Aleksandar Vukic–surviving third-set tiebreakers against both Kecmanovic and Vukic.
Korda is stellar on grass, as well. The 26th-ranked American is a former semifinalist at Queen’s Club, a quarterfinalist in Halle, and he reached the fourth round at Wimbledon 2021. He has advanced this week with victories over Alexei Popyrin and Tommy Paul–the latter via an impressive 6-4, 6-2 beatdown on Friday.
Korda can never be discounted on grass, but the margins will almost certainly be small and Griekspoor has generally been strong in tiebreakers this season–including in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Look for him to take care of business at home and make a return trip to the final.
Pick: Griekspoor in 3
WWW?
Agree w/ Ricky
unfortunately!
🙂