Rune versus Fils, Humbert versus Machac

A somewhat surprising semi-final line-up in Tokyo features just one seeded player in Holger Rune, who will continue his title bid against Arthur Fils on Monday. Ugo Humbert and Tomas Machac are also scheduled.

Arthur Fils vs. (6) Holger Rune

Rune and Fils respectively won the circuses on Sunday and will now face each other in the semi-finals of the Japan Open on Monday. One point after losing to Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals, Rune – despite struggling physically – managed to win 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. Fils survived an even crazier match, beating Ben Shelton 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) after exactly three hours. Both Rune and Fils appear to be suffering from knee problems and the Frenchman also suffered from cramps during his third set against Shelton.

They have only played one match between them, with Rune prevailing 6-3, 6-3 in Rome last year. The Dane withdrew from the match in Hamburg this summer, trailing 6-4, 4-1. There’s a good chance that Monday’s game will also end in retirement one way or another. Rune is probably the more reliable of the two players who have seen Fils’ rollercoaster ride in the quarters… but that’s not saying much.

Choice: Rune in 2

Tomas Machac vs. Ugo Humbert

This is another showdown where absolutely anything can happen, as both guys – and especially Machac – are extremely unpredictable. Machac is a top-10 talent when he plays well, but he often gets caught out of nowhere. The 34th-ranked Czech defeated Alex Michelsen in straight sets on Sunday, but flirted with disaster against both Alexei Popyrin (7-5 ​​in the third) and Tommy Paul (7-6 in the third).

Humbert looked like one of the best players in the world at the end of last season and at the beginning of this season, but he was terrible this spring and basically all summer apart from a fourth-round effort at Wimbledon. The 19th-ranked Frenchman is suddenly back in action this week, rolling into the semifinals with straight beatdowns of Shintaro Mochizuki (6-1, 6-2), Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 6-2) and Jack Draper ( 7-5, 2-1, born). When Humbert plays well he is a pain to deal with on any fast or even relative surface like the one in Tokyo.

Choice: Humbert in 2