The Argentinian fans will have three home players to watch on semifinal day at the ATP Buenos Aires Open. Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s match is followed by Sebastian Baez’s battle with the Italian Luciano Darderi. As always, we here at LWOT give our predictions and analysis in this article, but who will reach the final?

ATP Buenos Aires Semifinal Predictions
Sebastian Baez vs Luciano Darderi

Head-to-head: Baez 4-3 Darderi

Neither man dropped a set in their previous two matches. Baez overcame Ignacio Buse and Camilo Ugo Carabelli, while Darderi beat Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera and Pedro Martinez. Both players were among the pre-tournament favorites to win the title in Buenos Aires and lived up to that billing with their performances.

The winner of this match will almost certainly be significantly impacted by who can use their forehand most effectively, since that groundstroke is each player’s biggest strength. Darderi’s has slightly more firepower, but Baez’s, especially on clay, is the more reliably solid. The Argentine, who leads their clay-court head-to-head 3-2, is narrowly favored, but this could go either way.

Prediction: Baez in 3

Francisco Cerundolo vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Head-to-head: Cerundolo 2-2 Etcheverry

Cerundolo, the top seed in Buenos Aires and last year’s runner-up, did not lose a set in his two victories to reach the semifinal. Etcheverry’s route to this stage was by far the most challenging of the four players. After defeating Andrea Pellegrino in straight sets, his contests with Roman Andres Burruchaga and Alejandro Tabilo went the distance.

These two have had some great battles, and their clay-court head-to-head is level at 1-1. However, Etcheverry’s physical and mental energy could drop here. His 1-6 6-3 6-4 comeback triumph over Tabilo required a substantial effort, and an even better performance will likely be needed against his compatriot. It is unlikely that Etcheverry can stay consistent enough after those efforts to beat Cerundolo, who played very well in the previous two rounds.

Prediction: Cerundolo in 3

Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports