ATP Next Gen Finals Update: Luca in the Semi Finals...

Friday 1st December 2023

We have a familiar Ones to Watch line-up in the ATP Next Gen Finals semi final this afternoon…

In Monday’s Tournament Preview we noted the credentials of the 3/1 favourite, Arthur Fils. But, as is our approach, we went for an appealing player at twice the price or more in the Outright Winner market: fellow 19-year-old Frenchman, LUCA VAN ASSCHE.

Backed at 6/1+, and a top price of 15/2. Van Assche will take on Fils in the semi finals today…

As expected, the bookies have the higher-ranked no.1 seed Fils as the favourite. Our boy Luca is the underdog. But these two French youngsters know each other well, and there have been some tight matches here in Jeddah this week…

Fils and Van Assche have yet to meet on the senior ATP Tour. But in their one previous competitive meeting of note, it was Luca who came out on top - beating Arthur on clay in the French Open Boys’ final in 2021…

Today’s indoor hard-court conditions might suit the favourite better. But I like how Luca constructs his rallies. This could be the case of the superior physicality of Fils, versus the guile of Van Assche.

And with matches in this experimental Next Gen Finals format going to a tiebreak when a set reaches 3-3, as opposed to at 6-6 on the normal tour. Don’t be surprised if a tiebreak or two prove decisive in this one…

Play starts at 4pm, UK time. If you’re able to watch the match, it’s live on Amazon Prime Video (who offer the chance to watch back as a replay, too). Bookies such as Bet365 also have live streaming for funded accounts.

Enjoy the tennis…

P.S
Want to get in touch? Email me at: oliver.upstone@oxonpress.co.uk

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Ones to Watch