Argentina Open 2023 Day 6: Men's singles predictions ft. Juan Pablo Varillas vs Cameron Norrie, Carlos Alcaraz vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles

The sixth day of main-draw action at the 2023 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Saturday (February 18) will feature both semifinals.

On Friday, the four quarterfinals were played out. Second seed Cameron Norrie kicked off the action by recovering from a set down to beat home favorite Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach his second semifinal of the season.

In the second quarterfinal, qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas overwhelmed third seed Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets to continue his fine campaign in the Argentinian capital.

However, another qualifier - Dusan Lajovic - wasn't as lucky, as he succumbed in straight sets to former World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The final last-eight clash saw Bernabe Zapata Miralles take on Francisco Cerundolo, where the former edged through in three sets.

On that note, here's a look at how the two semifinals at the Argentina Open could pan out on Saturday:

#1 Juan Pablo Varillas vs Cameron Norrie

Qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas will look to continue his splendid campaign at the Argentina Open when he locks horns with second seed Cameron Norrie in the first semifinal.

The 101st-ranked Varillas is yet to drop a set in five matches this week -- including two in qualifying. In his last outing, he saw off Musetti for the loss of eight games after stunning 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the previous round.

🇵🇪 Perfection for Peru 🇵🇪

Qualifier @jpvarillas has yet to drop a set en route to a first ATP semi-final defeating Musetti 6-4 6-4.

@ArgentinaOpen | #ArgOpen2023 https://t.co/8Gji6af2kw

Meanwhile, World No. 12 Norrie improved to 12-2 in 2023 with a hard-fought win over Etcheverry to see his fifth career claycourt semifinal. The left-hander will meet Varillas for the first time but is expected to take a hard-fought win.

Prediction: Norrie in three sets

#2 Carlos Alcaraz vs Bernabe Zapata Miralles

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will take on compatriot Bernabe Zapata Miralles in an all-Spanish second semifinal at the Argentina Open on Saturday.

World No. 2 Alcaraz made a triumphant return to action after a four-month injury-induced layoff with a hard-fought win over Laslo Djere. The teenager, though, had a more comfortable outing in the next round, beating another Serb - Dusan Lajovic - for the loss of just six games to reach the last four.

Nos vemos en SEMIS! 🇦🇷😍🙌🏻 @ArgentinaOpen https://t.co/zfiLf8Xfyq

Meanwhile, the 74th-ranked Zapata Miralles improved to 4-3 on the season after seeing off fifth seed Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets in the quarterfinals. Earlier, he had beaten another Argentinian - fourth seed Diego Schwartzman - in the previous round.

Alcaraz won the pair's lone previous meeting in the Roland Garros first round in 2021 and should repeat that result in the Argentina Open as well.

Prediction: Alcaraz in straight sets