Semifinal previews and predictions: Nakashima vs. Cilic, Shang vs. Hanfmann

Marin Cilic’s comeback is in resurgent form this week in Hangzhou, but he will face title favorite Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals on Monday. In Chengdu, China’s own Jerry Shang is going up against Yannick Hanfmann.

Hangzhou Open: (WC) Marin Cilic vs. (4) Brandon Nakashima

Cilic had not won an ATP-level match since January of 2023 prior to arriving in Hangzhou. In fact, the 35-year-old Croat has barely played any matches over the past two seasons because of a knee injury. Nonetheless, he is back in action and immediately finds himself in the semifinals of an ATP 250 tournament. Cilic has advanced this week with victories over Zachary Svajda, Yoshihito Nishioka, and Yasutaka Uchiyama–the latter in a third-set tiebreaker.

Up next for the 2014 U.S. Open champion on Monday is a first-ever meeting with Nakashima, who is playing by far the best tennis of his career right now. The 39th-ranked American reached the third round in both Montreal and Cincinnati, the fourth round of the U.S. Open, and went 3-0 in Davis Cup round-robin competition to lead Team USA into the quarterfinals. Nakashima’s winning ways have continued in Hangzhou, as he advanced to the last four by ousting Coleman Wong and Rinky Hijikata. Especially with Cilic coming off a grueling quarterfinal contest, Nakashima should have a big edge in this one.

Pick: Nakashima in 2

Chengdu Open: Yannick Hanfmann vs. Jerry Shang

There are still two rounds to go, but the Chinese fans in Chengdu have a great chance to see one of their own capture the title on home soil. Shang has been China’s top prospect for several years now and so far he is living up to the hype. At just 19 years old, Shang is No. 67 in the world and will climbed to at least 55th next week. So far this week the left-hander has knocked off Kei Nishikori, Roman Safiullin, and Alexander Bublik.

Standing in Shang’s way of his first ATP final is Hanfmann, who has advanced with victories over Shintaro Mochizuki, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Pedro Martinez. The 32-year-old German also played well in Davis Cup competition earlier this month, so he is building some confidence on hard courts. Clay, though, has always been Hanfmann’s favorite surface–and likely the only one on which he could beat Shang. Count on the home favorite continuing his great form and surging into the championship match.

Pick: Shang in 2