A blockbuster semifinal matchup in Tokyo on Saturday will pit Gael Monfils against Nick Kyrgios. In the top half of the draw, meanwhile, Marin Cilic and David Goffin are battling each other for a place in the title match.
(6) Nick Kyrgios vs. (2) Gael Monfils
Monfils and Kyrgios will be squaring off for the second time in their careers and for the first time with anything at stake when they battle for a place in the Japan Open title match on Saturday afternoon. Their only previous encounter was a dead Davis Cup rubber two years ago on the clay courts of France, where Monfils got the job done 7-6(5), 6-4. This one should be far more intriguing, especially with Monfils in prime contention for a berth in the World Tour Finals. The eighth-ranked Frenchman is No. 6 in the race to London and could lead No. 9 by as many as 985 points if he captures the Tokyo title. Monfils, a semifinalist at the U.S. Open, has improved to an outstanding 43-12 for the year with straight-set wins this week over Yuichi Sugita, Gilles Simon, and Ivo Karlovic.
Kyrgios is also perfect in Tokyo, although he has played only two matches because he got a second-round walkover from Radek Stepanek. The 15th-ranked Australian opened with 7-5, 6-2 defeat of Ryan Harrison before rolling over Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-2 on Friday. Kyrgios is 36-14 for the season could climb as high as 11th in the race to London if he triumphs this week. Through two matches he has blasted 32 aces compared to only three double-faults and has not been broken. That kind of serving should be able to help Kyrgios pull off a minor upset.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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(5) David Goffin vs. (4) Marin Cilic
Cilic and Goffin will be facing each other for the third time in their careers and for the third time this season on Saturday. Goffin is leading the head-to-head series 2-0, having prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a clay-court Davis Cup showdown and 7-6(4), 6-2 at the Indian Wells Masters. The 14th-ranked Belgian ended up reaching back-to-back semifinals in Indian Wells and Miami before making a run to the French Open quarters. Goffin has cooled off since then, but he is through to the last four in Tokyo thanks to victories over Yoshihito Nishioka, Jiri Vesely, and Joao Sousa.
Additional importance can be placed on this contest because both men are in outside contention for the World Tour Finals; each one really needs a title in order to make a serious move. Goffin is currently 11th in the race to London, while Cilic is in 10th and would reach No. 9 if he lifts the winner’s trophy this week. The fourth-seeded Croat punched his ticket to the semis by defeating Benoit Paire, Fernando Verdasco, and Juan Monaco. Conditions in Tokyo should suit Cilic better than those of their previous meetings, and his ability to win free points on serve and with first-strike groundstrokes may be the difference in what will likely be a hard-fought battle.
Pick: Cilic in 3
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who ya got?
Cilic in two.
Can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m going with the more consistent and mentally strong player.
Lamonf in two (but this one is a coin toss).
Monfils in 3
After yesterday’s Karlovic match, I convinced myself that he might win another 500 points before World Tour Finals.
Goffin in 3
Im 50-50 on this one but I’m leaning with the Underdog with the favorable recent head to head.
Monfils in three and Cilic in two. MONFILS VS KYRGIOS IS GONNA BE EPIC!! Complete coin toss imo. I’ve got Monfils in a third set breaker. Don’t really care who wins as I’m a fan of both. Would love Monfils to make WTF though and also would love to see Kyrgios make his first ATP 500 final.
Kyrgios will be “talented” until he is good. He won’t be good until he can openly compete in matches without fearing the outcome. It’s painted all over his face that he’s scared to find out how good he really is. He folds against established players because he “doesn’t care” while he’s able to turn it up and go all out against weaker less established pro’s and his contemporaries? The outcome of this match depends entirely on how he views Monfils. Were Gael to have always been determined and serious about his results I think Kyrgios would fold in the first and possibly go all out in the second once there’s “nothing to lose.” The kid is scared to find out how good he is and this is seen commonly at lower levels of sport. Talented athletes generally never make it to the top of tennis without being motivated as well to win. I think Monfils wins in two unless Kyrgios plays hard from start to finish (then Monfils wins in 3 and I predict a major breakdown from Kyrgios if he tries and realizes he cannot win).
I’m depressed reading Goffin’s lead in the H2H as this seems like a very good opportunity to bomb Cilic against an underperforming Goffin. Styles are important at times. This may be one of those times. I’m taking Goffin in 3 and I suspect him to secretly be a hobbit.
haha a secret hobbit! love it! he kind of looks a bit like a hobbit now i come to think of it…
^ 😀 Goffin in 3
Kyrgios idolizes Gael. Gael in 3
Kyrgios lights out at the moment. I don’t know if the whole Kyrgios playing a big guy and not caring is the case. Remember he did beat fed and Nadal before. He’s had matches where he’s had that annoying lack of interest against shapovalov so it just kind of depends on his mood I guess. He’s expressed his love for the Japanese fans a lot this week and he’s had more energy and determination because of it. He’s playing so well it’s like Marseille all over again. Let’s go Nick!!
Also how in gods name does Cilic keep losing to Goffin. Has 5-3 lead in the first then loses four straight games and loses the second set 6-4 after that.
Yay Goffin!! Cilic hit the wall of Goffin.
Since I missed all SF’s – I’m watching them this morning. Monfils v Kyrgios is coming up.
Nick said after his match he felt he was more mature now and he has a physical trainer and everything and is focused on finding a good coach soon. His match was maybe the most flawless I’ve seen him play up there with his Marseille performances. It seems like he may be finally turning a corner. I think McEnroe’s comments at the U.S. Open were a wake up call to Kyrgios. Love to see him playing like this. Drama free too. Let’s go Nick!!
Hope you are right, Benny. ?? Nick
But I love Goffin…so… win-win 😀