The ATP 250 Adelaide International is reaching an exciting conclusion as the semifinals unfold this Friday, January 16. This pivotal stage will determine which two players will compete for the coveted title on Saturday. Among the leading contenders are Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No. 14) and Tommy Paul (No. 20), both of whom face formidable challenges as they vie for a place in the final.
Davidovich Fokina, who has experienced five ATP final losses in his career, is looking to break this streak. He will face Ugo Humbert (No. 35), who has been in impressive form, having not dropped a single set in the tournament and allowing only a few games in his last two matches.
On the other side, Tommy Paul is on a quest to regain his confidence after a lengthy hiatus from the Tour due to a foot injury, which kept him out during the latter part of 2025. Despite his time away, Paul has made a strong return, winning matches against Reilly Opelka and Aleksandar Vukic with relative ease. He now meets Tomas Machac (No. 33), who has also advanced without dropping a set and currently holds a slight head-to-head advantage against Paul.
For Paul, this semifinal represents a crucial opportunity to regain momentum before heading to the Australian Open, where he has ranking points to defend. His victories so far have been marked by strong serving, allowing him to progress confidently despite the challenges he faced after his injury layoff. Paul is eager to reach the eighth final of his career, his first since October 2024.
Machac, conversely, has been rising through the ranks over the past two seasons, establishing himself among the top-tier players. Although his results have fluctuated, he is looking to find consistency and claim his third career final. An intriguing scenario could unfold if Machac and Davidovich Fokina both triumph, setting the stage for a repeat of their 2025 Mexican Open final.
In the other semifinal, Humbert is seeking a chance at redemption against Davidovich Fokina. Their recent encounter in the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel ended prematurely due to an injury Humbert sustained while trailing, resulting in Davidovich Fokina advancing to the final. Humbert, who shone in 2024, reaching four finals and clinching two titles, had his momentum interrupted by injuries in 2025. His performance in this tournament is vital for restoring his confidence and ranking.
In their head-to-head clash, Davidovich Fokina holds a 3-1 advantage, though two of those wins came via retires by Humbert. Nevertheless, both players are aware that this semifinal will be a crucial moment for their respective seasons as they aim for glory.
As the anticipation builds for these matches, fans are optimistic about witnessing high-quality tennis that not only highlights the talents of these players but could also pave the way for new successes in their careers. With the stakes high, both semifinals promise excitement and potential turning points for the contenders as they advance towards the title.