Friday's tennis acca: Alexander Zverev to snuff out Alejandro Tabilo's dream Rome run

Alexander Zverev will be the villain of the piece in Rome on Friday as he aims to crush the hopes of Alejandro Tabilo.

An all-Chilean final in Rome is still on the cards as Tabilo's compatriot Nicolas Jarry is set to face Tommy Paul in the other semi-final.

Here we make our picks for the action on Friday.

 

ATP Rome: Alejandro Tabilo vs Alexander Zverev | Pick: Zverev

ATP Rome: Nicolas Jarry vs Tommy Paul | Pick: Paul

Challenger Bordeaux: Daniel Evans vs Juncheng Shang | Pick: Evans

Challenger Bordeaux: Roberto Bautista Agut vs Pedro Martinez Portero | Pick: Bautista Agut

Challenger Bordeaux: Arthur Fils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis | Pick: Fils

Challenger Oeiras: Denis Yevseyev vs Elias Ymer | Pick: Ymer

Challenger Oeiras:Jaime Faria vs Roman Andres Burruchaga | Pick: Burruchaga

 

Planet Sport Bet offer: Place a £5+ cash all correct accumulator (Min. 5 selections) on tennis and get up to a 50% BONUS on your winnings

 

ATP Rome: Alejandro Tabilo vs Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev and Alejandro Tabilo will battle against each other in the semi-final of the Italian Open for the first time in their careers.

Tabilo has used his experience on clay to engineer this incredible run in Rome which will see him to a new career-high ranking.

Zverev is chasing a second title in Rome seven years removed from his last triumph.

Tabilo has been brilliant in Rome and will be the crowd favourite for this one. 

 

ATP Rome: Nicolas Jarry vs Tommy Paul

Tommy Paul leads his head-to-head rivalry with Nicolas Jarry by 2-1 but it was the Chilean who came out on top in their most recent meeting which also came on clay at the French Open in 2023.

Paul has enjoyed his best performance on clay during this Rome run sparking hopes he could be a threat at the second Grand Slam of the year.

Jarry has also enjoyed a surprising run and it's tough to pick a winner between two players in good touch.

Jarry has already spent over eight hours on court in Rome but looks like he could book a huge final in Rome.

 

Challenger Bordeaux: Daniel Evans vs Juncheng Shang

In the last eight in Bordeaux, Daniel Evans faces Juncheng Shang for the first time ever.

Evans is out to prepare for the French Open after disappointing efforts in Madrid and Rome.

For Shang, Bordeaux was likely always on the cards although a big match like the one against Evans will be a pleasant surprise.

Evans comfortably outranks the Chinese player but faces Shang as he is on the up which presents a unique set of challenges.

 

Challenger Bordeaux: Roberto Bautista Agut vs Pedro Martinez Portero

Roberto Bautista Agut has a poor record against compatriot Pedro Martinez Portero.

Bautista Agut has lost both his previous matches against his countryman which will give Portero confidence to be sure.

However, Bautista Agut could use those losses as motivation to get the better of his less-heralded comrade.

Their previous meetings were at full ATP Tour level and this will be their first meeting in a Challenger event.

 

Challenger Bordeaux: Arthur Fils vs Thanasi Kokkinakis

Home hope Arthur Fils is the top seed in Bordeaux and faces unseeded Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

This will be the first meeting between the players at any level with the Frenchman the surprise favourite.

Fils has enjoyed a better season than the Australian so far and will benefit from playing at home.

Kokkinakis doesn't usually enjoy playing on clay and the dynamic Fils will be a handful.

 

Challenger Oeiras: Denis Yevseyev vs Elias Ymer

Denis Yevseyev and Elias Ymer clash for the second time ever in Oeiras.

Yevseyev outranks his Swedish opponent but lost the previous meeting between the players.

Both players needed three sets to get through their quarter-final meetings.

Ymer has had the tougher path to the last four which might aid him in coming through to the final.

 

Challenger Oeiras: Jaime Faria vs Roman Andres Burruchaga

Roman Andres Burruchaga and Jaime Faria will square off in the semifinal of the Oeiras 4 Challenger for a first-time meeting.

Faria has the better season record but has played in lower-level tournaments compared to Burruchaga.

Burruchaga is a handy player on clay but faces a man with the same sort of background in the sport.

Burruchaga holds the edge on the rankings and has looked more impressive this week.