Marseille 2023 Day 6: Men's singles predictions ft. Hubert Hurkacz vs Alexander Bublik, Benjamin Bonzi vs Arthur Fils | Open 13 Provence
The sixth day of main draw action at the 2023 Open 13 Provence in Marseille on Saturday (February 25) will feature both semifinals. Two seeds and a wildcard will be in action.
On Friday, top seed Hubert Hurkacz beat Mikael Ymer in a third-set tiebreak to reach the last four. In other quarterfinal action, Alexander Bublik saved two match points to down fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov in a third-set tiebreak.
In perhaps the surprise result of the day, qualifier Arthur Fils continued his golden run by stunning three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in the last eight. Benjamin Bonzi beat third seed Alex de Minaur to complete the semifinal lineup.
Without further ado, here's a look at how the two semifinals in Marseille could pan out on Saturday:
#1 Hubert Hurkacz (Marseille top seed) vs Alexander Bublik
Top seed Hubert Hurkacz will lock horns with Alexander Bublik for a place in the Marseille final.
World No. 11 Hurkacz improved to 8-4 on the season following a pair of three-set wins in the ATP 250 event. The Pole first beat Leandro Riedi in his campaign opener before needing a third-set tiebreak to see off Mikael Ymer.
Meanwhile, the 50th-ranked Bublik has hit the jackpot at the Open 13 Provence after arriving at the tournament with a debilitating 0-8 record. He got off the mark for the season by beating Filip Krajinovic in three sets. Bublik then beat Gregoire Barrere before saving a pair of match points against Grigor Dimitrov in a third-set tiebreak win.
SEMI-FINAL BOUND! 👏
Alexander Bublik saves two match points to defeat Dimitrov 7-5 3-6 7-6 in Marseille
#open13provence https://t.co/KxHVFYzlR3
Prediction: Hurkacz has won four of his five previous meetings with Bublik and should prevail again.
#2 Benzamin Bonzi vs Arthur Fils
Benjamin Bonzi will lock horns with French wildcard Arthur Fils in an all-French semifinal for a place in the title match in Marseille.
World No. 60 Bonzi improved to 9-6 on the year following a trio of wins this week, including against De Minaur in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the 118th-ranked Fils - 5-1 on the season - is having a campaign to remember at the Open 13 Provence, justifying his wildcard tag.
The 18-year-old is yet to drop a set in two matches - he had a walkover against Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals. Fils beat Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to romp into his second straight semifinals, having reached the last four in Montpellier too.
BRAVO @ArthurFils1 🇫🇷🙌
La wild card du tournoi renverse Stan Wawrinka en deux sets 6-2 6-3 et rejoint les demi-finales !
#open13provence #atptour #arthurfils
Fils' golden run should continue as he eyes his first ATP singles final.
Prediction: Fils in three sets