It’s safe to say that even though this is an ATP 250 event the week before Wimbledon, it’s definitely still a surprising semifinal lineup in Mallorca–full of players you wouldn’t expect to succeed on grass for one reason or another. With all four men looking for their first grass court title, let’s take a look at who we think will be playing the championship match.
ATP Mallorca Semifinal Predictions
Paul Jubb vs Sebastian Ofner
Head-to-head: First meeting
Let’s start with the obvious: Paul Jubb is indeed in Mallorca not Eastbourne due to the LTA not giving him a wild card in the UK. Either way, qualifying for the event in Mallorca and then backing it up with three wins including the biggest win of his career in a final set tiebreak against top seed Ben Shelton in the previous round saving match point. The Brit despite being ranked 289 has shown on this surface he’s able to compete with most.
Ofner has a game more suited to the clay once rallies begin and that’s where Jubb needs to use his grass expertise to neutralise the Austrian’s serve and then look to finish points in a variety of ways once rallies begin and not give Ofner rhythm. Just like Jack Draper in Stuttgart a few weeks ago, I’m feeling another Brit may make an ATP final here.
Prediction: Jubb in 3
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Alejandro Tabilo vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gael Monfils has had a very weird career on grass to say the very least. There were times where no matter how good his results were on clay and hard court, he would struggle for even a handful of wins on the surface. Now at 37 years old, he’s no doubt more suited to the surface as evident with his semifinal run here.
Tabilo making the semifinals is a surprise; his clay court heavy game is completely neutralized by the grass, although when you look at the players he’s beaten to make it this far, neither were ranked in the Top 50. As long as Monfils serves fairly well, it should put this beyond the Chilean’s reach on a fast surface like this.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports