Get ready for an electric semifinal at the ATP 250 in Montpellier between Russia's Andrey Rublev and Aleksandar Kovacevic of the USA. It is a mouth-watering match-up, pitting high-powered aggression against Rublev's resilient, gritty game. With both players coming into this with some great momentum from their quarterfinal victories, this could be one of those matches that sees a lot of drama, quick points, and masterstrokes of strategy. In that light, let's delve into the previews, head-to-head insights, and our top five betting tips for this intriguing encounter.
Claim Your Welcome BonusAndrey Rublev
Ranked ATP 10, Andrey Rublev comes to Montpellier with a formidable presence and the reputation for aggressive playing. His quarterfinal win against Nikoloz Basilashvili was a showcase of his raw power and mental toughness despite an unusual circumstance which saw Basilashvili retire in the opening set. As for Rublev, the numbers speak volumes about him. Reaching 7 aces, keeping a decent 56% first-serve success rate, and converting 2 break points really showcased his aggressive intent. While the break point saving percentage gives room for concern, the run of three successive sets of wins certainly speaks volumes about his resolve and desire to win. He will look to dominate from the baseline with his aggressive game and strong serve to take charge against his opponent.
Aleksandar Kovacevic
Aleksandar Kovacevic, ATP 102, is the under-the-radar type of player who, however, is not an easy target. Kovacevic's quarterfinal win against Alexander Bublik, judging by the odd scoreline detail, was a performance that suggested a man who rises to the big moments. His statistics showed a solid 63% first-serve percentage, but it was his pairing this with 100% break point saving that really showed his coolness and tactical acumen. The streak of Kovacevic lately-five games and five sets in a row-is indicative of his seizing momentum where it really matters. While his game might not be as loaded with aces as Rublev's, the overall consistency and fighting spirit position him as a dangerous challenger who will look for every opportunity to upset the favorite with well-timed counterattacks and mental resilience.
Expert Betting Tips
Handicap - Rublev (-3) Games @ 1.66 Odds on 1xbet:-
He is likely to dictate much of the pace, and in such a case, a bet on Rublev -3 games holds attractive value. His ability to break serve and push Kovacevic into errors should see him accumulating a comfortable game lead.
Total Games - Over 22.5 @ 1.80 Odds on Betway:-
We are in for a closely contested encounter, with long rallies aplenty. Our prediction is for over 22.5 total games. Rublev's aggressive playing style and Kovacevic's knack for extending game points combine for a matchup likely to extend past the minimum.
Set Correct Score - Rublev 2:0 @ 1.80 Odds on Bet365:-
The alternative on Rublev for the correct 2-0 set bet is not too bad, either, as this takes advantage of both Rublev's form through the quarterfinals with no great alarm, but doing just enough.
Other predictions
