Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Eastbourne match.
The Eastbourne ATP semi-final pits defending champion Taylor Fritz against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Fritz has claimed this title three times, but his pursuit of a fourth will be tested by a challenger who defeated him earlier this year on a hard court.
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz has delivered a solid run during the grass-court season, winning the title in Stuttgart and progressing to the semi-finals in Eastbourne. However, signs of fatigue are emerging. Just yesterday, he endured two physically demanding matches against Joao Fonseca and Marcos Giron. His game continues to revolve around his powerful serve — over the past year, he ranks in the top two for percentage of service games won (90%). Still, his second serve remains a weak spot, winning just 37% of those points in his latest match against Marcos Giron.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is putting together an impressive season. He has already reached two finals on hard courts, made a semi-final appearance on clay, and now adds a grass-court semi-final to his campaign. He dispatched Jakub Mensik with ease and continues to showcase high-energy baseline play, using precise and aggressive groundstrokes to make up for a less imposing serve. Back in February, he managed to beat Taylor Fritz, and with the American showing signs of wear, the Spaniard has a real opportunity to do it again — especially after a dominant display in his previous match, arguably his best of the tournament.
Taylor Fritz vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Prediction
The physical condition of Taylor Fritz is a concern — his recent matches have taken a toll, and his performance statistics have dipped. In contrast, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina looks sharper and more composed. While the Spaniard may not be the bookmakers’ favourite, we’ll take a more cautious route by backing him with a set handicap advantage.
