The Madrid Open is reaching the business stage, and at the close of play on Thursday, the men’s semi-finalists will be confirmed at Park Manzanares.
Hoping to etch their name in the final four will be world number two Jannik Sinner and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, although their quarter-final opponents Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jiri Lehecka may have something to say about that.
There is also the small matter of a semi-final from the women’s draw as world number one Iga Swiatek bids to lay down her title marker against American ace Madison Keys.
Madrid Open Tennis Tips
- Jiri Lehecka to beat Daniil Medvedev @ 6/4
- Jannik Sinner to win 2-1 v Felix Auger-Aliassime @ 5/2
- Iga Swiatek to win 2-0 v Madison Keys @ 3/10
- Accumulator returns 10/1
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Air of vulnerability about Medvedev on clay
The fact that Medvedev has made only one quarter-final at the French Open in his career to date shows that he is at his most vulnerable on clay, and he looks like an uneasy favourite against Lehecka.
That is because Medvedev’s power-packed approach is less effective on a slower surface, and in Lehecka, he meets an up-and-coming talent in good form and full of confidence.
The Czech world number 31 spoiled the homecoming party for Rafael Nadal in the last round, winning 7-5 6-4, and prior to that, had eased past Thiago Monteiro 6-4 7-6.
That looks good form on paper as Monteiro had earlier overcome Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was crowned champion at the Monte Carlo Masters and then was runner-up in Barcelona.
Medvedev has dropped sets in two of his three tournament wins over Matteo Arnaldi and Sebastian Korda, and his luck may be about to run out against Lehecka.
Sinner should find a way to win
Sinner has arguably been the form player of the season on the ATP Tour so far, winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open as well as clinching silverware in Rotterdam and Miami.
The Italian has lost only two of his 27 matches this season, but while he should find a way to advance to the semi-final, Auger-Aliassime can be competitive.
The Canadian looked right back to his best when dismissing of Casper Ruud in straight sets in the round of 16 and he can claim a set in defeat to Sinner, who has gone the distance in three of his last five clay-court matches.
Swiatek should stamp her authority
Swiatek, a three-time French Open champion, is at her happiest on clay, and the prolific Pole should have no trouble sealing her spot in the final with victory over Keys.
The world number one was made to work hard by Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last round, but, having dropped the opening set, she turned on the style to prevail 4-6 6-0 6-2.
Prior to that, the Pole had won her three Madrid assignments in straight sets and she can record another 2-0 win over Keys, who may be feeling the effects of her latest two three-set battles with Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur.
That is far from the ideal preparation for a showdown with Swiatek, who eased to a 7-5 6-1 success in her only previous clay-court meeting with the American.
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Odds correct at time of writing
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Source: TalkSport.com Tennis
