Top Contenders Battle for European Open Semifinal Spots in Antwerp

The ATP European Open in Antwerp has reached the quarterfinal stages, with most of the pre-tournament favorites still in contention for the title. Among the notable players set to compete on Friday are 2020 runner-up Alex de Minaur, 2022 champion Felix Auger-Aliassime, and two-time semifinalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Belgian local favorite, Zizou Bergs, is also set to be in action, seeking to capitalize on home crowd support.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, who has been demonstrating strong performances on indoor courts, is set to face off against Roberto Bautista Agut. The Canadian player, described by specialists as an indoor specialist, has a head-to-head advantage of 3-2 over the Spaniard. Auger-Aliassime had previously shown his prowess in indoor settings with victories in Florence, Antwerp, and Basel last year, and recent wins at the Davis Cup. Despite Bautista Agut’s solid performance at 36 years, Auger-Aliassime is expected to advance.

Alex de Minaur, battling Hugo Gaston in his quarterfinal, is focused on securing a spot in the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin. De Minaur’s recent performance has been hindered by an ongoing injury from Wimbledon, leaving him with limited appearances since then. Despite these challenges, betting odds heavily favor him over Gaston with implied winning chances of 86.6% according to Sports Media outlets.

Local favorite Zizou Bergs is set to face Marcos Giron, a matchup believed to be his most challenging yet in the tournament. Bergs, who has had a favorable draw so far, is yet to be tested against players comfortable with indoor play. With his promising form, it remains to be seen if he can maintain his mental composure against seasoned opponents.

Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Jiri Lehecka, marking their third encounter. After narrowly escaping an early exit against Thiago Seyboth Wild, Tsitsipas appears vulnerable. Lehecka, who previously defeated Tsitsipas this year, poses a significant threat given his dynamic playing style, particularly on indoor courts. Observers cite this match as potentially tight and captivating.