ATP Hangzhou Semifinal Predictions Including Alexander Bublik vs Yibing Wu

The semifinal matches at the ATP 250 in Hangzhou set up two very different storylines: a domestic-feel all-French tie that pits craft against momentum, and a high-variance clash between a big-hitting entertainer and a hometown fighter buoyed by the crowd. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both matches on the schedule. But who will advance to the final?

ATP Hangzhou Semifinal Predictions

Corentin Moutet vs Valentin Royer

Head-to-Head: first meeting

This is as much a chess match as a power duel: Corentin Moutet lives off variety, angles, and the lefty slice that can shorten rallies and force opponents to re-construct points, while Royer has ridden a confidence wave through the week and looked comfortable turning defense into offense. Valentin Royer’s run here has that “breakthrough” feel; he’s playing with freedom and hasn’t shied away from big baseline exchanges.  This will be their first meeting, which makes the match a pure test of style and nerves more than tactics on paper. Expect a contest of margins: if Moutet can keep the ball low, mix tempo, and force Royer into uncomfortable half-volleys, he’ll steal short points; if Royer gets to dictate with deep, heavy hitting and quick first-strike tennis, the rallies will tilt in his favour. This one should be tight, a few timely returns or a single late-set surge could decide it.
Prediction: Royer in 3

Alexander Bublik vs Yibing Wu

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Bublik brings the full circus: booming serves, cheeky shotmaking and the sort of variety that can flip a match in an instant. He’s ridden a solid run this season and even claimed an ATP title that underlined his ability to pile up winners and aces when he’s on.  Wu, meanwhile, has been lifted by the Hangzhou crowd and produced one of the tournament’s biggest results by upsetting second seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarters — that kind of win can flip a player’s temperament from tentative to dangerous.

The two have no prior meetings on tour, so neither can rely on a matchup formula; that blank slate makes the first set especially important. On these courts this will come down to serve returns and who controls the middle of the court; Bublik can end points in a blink, but Wu’s footwork, timing, and rhythm on return can extend rallies and force errors. If the crowd keeps pushing Wu and he stays mentally steady on the big points, expect another tight scoreline that could hinge on a handful of key serves or a solitary swing of momentum.
Prediction: Bublik in 3