ATP Chengdu Semifinal Predictions Including Hubert Hurkacz vs Denis Shapovalov

The semifinals are set at ATP Chengdu, and they offer two very different stories. A qualifier who has refused to slow down faces the second seed, while two of the tour’s biggest servers meet again in a rivalry that has heavily favored one side. The difference this time? Denis Shapovalov arrives playing some of his best tennis of the season. Here are our predictions for both semifinal clashes. Who will book their place in the final with a chance to play for the title on Tuesday?

ATP Chengdu Semifinal Predictions

Nikoloz Basilashvili vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Head-to-Head: Basilashvili 1-0 Davidovich Fokina

What Basilashvili is doing this week deserves real appreciation. The veteran Georgian has won five matches; two in qualifying and three in the main draw, all without dropping a set, and keeps finding a way through tight sets. His flat, punishing ball-striking is landing beautifully on these courts, and there’s a freedom in his game right now that comes from having nothing to defend.

Yes, there’s a fatigue question hanging over him after five matches in six days at ATP Chengdu. But Basilashvili is a battle-hardened competitor who has spent years grinding through exactly these kinds of weeks, and crucially, he already knows he can beat Davidovich Fokina. The Spaniard, for all his talent, has had a habit of stumbling in semifinals throughout his career, and the pressure of being the seeded favourite against an inspired qualifier can do strange things to a player.

Davidovich Fokina’s movement and defence will make this physical, and he’ll win his share of rallies. But Basilashvili’s timing on these quick hard courts has been the best it’s been in years, and a player this confident in his ball-striking doesn’t need long to end points. Expect the Georgian to seize the early momentum and hold his nerve down the stretch.

Prediction: Basilashvili in 3

Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2

Hubert Hurkacz vs Denis Shapovalov

Head-to-Head: Hurkacz 5-1 Shapovalov

This matchup has been heavily tilted in Hubert Hurkacz’s favour, with the Pole winning five of their six previous meetings. His serve is usually the foundation of that advantage, allowing him to protect his own games while putting pressure on Shapovalov to produce something special on return.

But Shapovalov arrives to the semis of ATP Chengdu in genuine form. He’s into his third semifinal of the season after grinding past Mannarino in three sets, and his first-strike tennis on hard courts can overwhelm anyone when it’s clicking. He’s also shown new resilience this week, winning the tight points rather than giving them away.

For Hurkacz, the formula is familiar: serve big, block returns deep, and drag Shapovalov into enough rallies to test his patience. On current form this should be tight, but the Pole’s record in this matchup and his composure in clutch moments make him the pick to reach another final.

Prediction: Hurkacz in 3

Main Photo Credit: USA Today Sports via Reuters Connect

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