It will be an electric quarterfinal clash in the ATP 500 Basel, as Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Arthur Fils. Currently ranked world No. 11, Stefanos Tsitsipas will be seeking to continue his current run of form against surging 20-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils, who currently stands at No. 20. Both players are in great form through the tournament and advanced successfully from the round of 16, with Tsitsipas taking down Botic Van De Zandschulp and Fils defeating Pedro Martinez. It will be an intriguing quarterfinal as the one and only time these players faced each other, Fils triumphed in straight sets during the 2023 Antwerp semifinals. It means a semifinal spot and both players will give it their all to make through to the latter stages of this prestigious Basel tournament.
Claim Welcome BonusStefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas comes into this match on a two-match win streak and will be hoping to snap his run of five quarterfinal losses in Basel. Tsitsipas has been very up-and-down this season, as evidenced by the 6-4 mark in his last 10 matches despite flashes of brilliance. But his straight-set win over Van De Zandschulp in round two was a much cleaner performance from the Greek, serving better and showing poise in tight moments. He can still be in control of the points with his one-handed backhand and aggressive forehand, but Tsitsipas still loses closely contested sets and matches due to his mental lapses on court and vulnerability off of the second serve.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to make the statements early by taking control of rallies with his strong serve and forehand combination. Stefanos has to keep the points short and avoid getting dragged into the long, grinding exchanges where the athleticism of Fils can wear him out. The Greek will be looking to prey upon Fils' second serve, which saw the Frenchman win only 36% of such points in his last match. He should also try to push forward to the net often, where his good volleying can push Fils into uncomfortable passing shots. To have an advantage in the match, Tsitsipas will need to maintain a high percentage of first serves while avoiding second-serve vulnerabilities that Fils could take advantage of.
Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils is on the other end, having posted an 8-2 mark in his last 10 outings. The Frenchman has enjoyed a breakthrough season, fast rising up the rankings and showcasing his all-court game. Fils enters this match on a two-match winning run and will be coming with loads of confidence, having already beaten Tsitsipas in their only previous meeting. The Fils serve has been deadly, as evidenced in his win over Martinez, where he hit 13 aces and won 86% of his first-serve points. Aggressive baseline play combined with athletic movement allows him to bully points, while an attitude that is fearless has made him a formidable opponent to face at any surface.
Arthur Fils will look to his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game to test Tsitsipas' backhand, which at times breaks down under pressure. The ability to step into the court and take the ball early allows Fils to move forward and dictate the tempo of the match. If Fils manages to neutralize Tsitsipas' serve, particularly on second serves-he has shown over the week how he is capable of breaking serve when given a chance-the Frenchman does force Tsitsipas to run side to side and hit on the run, where his forehand is much less effective.
Expert Betting Tips
The key strengths of Tsitsipas are his serve and forehand, which allow him to dominate on quicker courts like Basel. Furthermore, his stepping inside and finishing points at the net can press on most of his opponents. Still, that elegant backhand can become a liability if pressured, as is his second serve. The Greek has been inconsistent these past few months too, with moments of brilliance punctuated by shocking losses that question his mental strength in pressure situations.
Arthur Fils has already shown that he can handle the pressure of big matches. Aggressive and powerful in his game, especially with his serve, he is tough to break down and wins a very high percentage of first-serve points. He's danger in return games, too, not holding back from attacking second serves. But the weakness in Fils' game is the second serve, as he won only 36% of those points in his last match. That can be a significant vulnerability against a top-level returner like Tsitsipas.
- Over 22.5 Games @ 1.727 Odds
- Total 3 Sets @ 2.17 Odds
- Arthur Fils Wins @ 1.90 Odds
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