This Saturday, the ATP Dallas semifinals promise thrilling matchups featuring former US Open champion Marin Cilic against Taylor Fritz, followed by Ben Shelton facing defending champion Denis Shapovalov.
In the first semifinal, Cilic and Fritz will clash for the fourth time, with Fritz holding a slight edge in their head-to-head at 2-1. The 37-year-old Cilic has displayed excellent form, advancing through the tournament without dropping a set against Learner Tien, Ethan Quinn, and Jack Pinnington Jones. Conversely, Fritz, the top seed, faced a tougher road, needing a decisive tiebreak to overcome Sebastian Korda, while also defeating Marcos Giron. Despite battling elbow pain during his match against Korda, Fritz has shown resilience. However, Cilic’s consistent performance suggests he may come out on top in this encounter, especially if both competitors are at peak fitness. The prediction leans towards Cilic in straight sets.
The second semifinal sees Shelton, who holds a commanding 3-0 record against Shapovalov, face the Canadian in a highly anticipated match. Both players showcased their determination in the quarterfinals, with Shelton overcoming Miomir Kecmanovic and Shapovalov rallying from a set down against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The backdrop of their matchup will likely bring to mind Shapovalov’s controversial default against Shelton at the 2024 Citi DC Open. Shelton’s aggressive playing style appears well-suited for this matchup, particularly exploiting Shapovalov’s weaker return game. The young American’s strong serving and tactical advantage position him as the favorite to win, with predictions suggesting Shelton will secure victory in straight sets.
With two exhilarating matches set to unfold, fans can anticipate a high-stakes day of tennis that could culminate in a thrilling final on Sunday.