Spots in the final will be at stake when weekend action begins in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on Saturday. David Goffin is going up against Gilles Muller and Robin Haase is facing Nicolas Mahut.
Gilles Muller vs. (2) David Goffin
Goffin and Muller will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they do battle in the semifinals of the Topshelf Open on Saturday. They squared off a few months ago on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam, where Muller got the job done 76(5), 6-7(6), 6-3. The 53rd-ranked Luxembourgian has cooled off a bit since a torrid first month of the year, but he must be happy that clay has given way to grass. So far this week Muller has dismissed Marsel Ilhan, Vasek Pospisil Marius Copil, struggling only with Pospisil in a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(6) decision.
After receiving a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed, Goffin beat Jurgen Melzer 7-6(2), 6-2 then scraped past Illya Marchenko 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. The 15th-ranked Belgian will soon have a vast majority of his points to defend following Wimbledon, but he is getting a head start by stockpiling more points in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. On any other surface, Goffin’s run would likely continue at the expense of Muller. Grass, however, should be conducive to Muller’s aggressive tactics and lefty serve.
Pick: Muller in 3
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(WC) Robin Haase vs. (Q) Nicolas Mahut
Pick: Mahut in 3
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Mahut red hot right now…getting ready for London…and I like Goffin as well.