Alexander Zverev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Odds & Prediction – ATP Western & Southern Open Semifinals

• No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas meets No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the Cincinnati semifinals (Aug. 21st, 6pm ET)
• It’s the first time the top four seeds have made the semis at a Masters 1000 since Shanghai in 2012
• Tsitsipas holds a 6-2 head-to-head, but gold medalist Zverev is favored. Read on for analysis and predictions

In the not-too-distant future, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas probably will be fixtures in the finals of Grand Slam tournaments.

For the moment, their semifinal at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati Saturday (6pm ET), will make a statement for the upcoming US Open.

No. 1 seed Daniil Medvedev takes on No. 4 Andrey Rublev in the other semifinal. It’s the first time since 2012 the top four seeds have made the weekend at a Masters 1000 tournament.

Alexander Zverev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas Odds

Odds as of Aug. 21 at DraftKings.

Tsitsipas Survives Auger-Aliassime in Friday Clash

Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, two years younger, owned Tsitsipas in the juniors. And he also handled him early in their pro careers.

But Tsitsipas has turned that rivalry on its head.

Auger-Aliassime wasn’t 100% for this quarterfinal. But when Tsitsipas is playing the way he was, there seemingly is no way through him.

The Canadian saved two match points and pushed it to a decider.

But it was all he had as Tsitsipas went on to a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory.

Zverev on Cruise Control in Cincinnati

The 24-year-old German won the biggest prize of his career two weeks ago in Tokyo, taking home the Olympic gold medal.

And after a few years of wading in the purgatory just below the very, very best, it might kickstart him to the next level.

Zverev has flown under the radar in Cincinnati all week, in his first tournament since then.

Part of that was having a pretty sweet draw. He defeated Lloyd Harris of South Africa 7-6 (3), 6-2 in his opener, then rolled past Guido Pella of Argentina 6-2, 6-3.

In the quarterfinals Friday, Zverev dropped just four games to No. 8 seed Casper Ruud, a young player more known for his clay-court prowess.

Zverev vs Tsitsipas Head-to-Head

A One-Sided Rivalry – So far

The five-set victory by Tsitsipas at the French Open this year, after he nearly let a two-sets-to-none lead slip away, was the best of their eight-match rivalry.

But it was one of only two matches between the two that could be considered close.

That’s because Tsitsipas has fewer holes in his game at the moment – fewer ways to beat himself.

Zverev defeated Tsitsipas in the Acapulco final, his first win against the Greek star in three years. Tsitsipas had precious little that day, yet still made it competitive.

The German, whose first delivery regularly hits 135 mph, can beat himself on his own serve with a shaky second serve. He also can fail to be bold enough with his forehand.

For the most part, Tsitsipas holds his own in the backhand exchanges.  He also is more versatile on that wing, if he needs it.

And he remains a more tactical match player – a better improviser.

Zverev vs Tsitsipas Match History

Zverev the Fresher of the Two

Tsitsipas had the tougher draw, and had to work harder to get to this semifinal.

This is the first big test of the post-Olympic Zverev. And the outcome will make a statement for the US Open. We’ll see if it’s an opportunity Zverev will embrace, or stumble over.

Even though Zverev is favored, expect Tsitsipas to win. But it should be more competitive than some of their previous encounters.

Over 22.5 games (-120) and a three-set match (+145) are good props.

Since Zverev has won the first set of his last 12 matches on hard courts, that’s a good pick, too (-140)

Best Bet: Tsitsipas to Win in Three Sets (+400)