Top two seeds Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Tommy Paul remain on course for a title clash in Adelaide. However, they have tough semifinal games on their hands with Ugo Humbert and Tomas Machac.
(1) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Ugo Humbert
Davidovich Fokina and Humbert will be going head-to-head for the sixth time in their careers when they fight for a place in the Adelaide International final on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of Davidovich Fokina (3-1 on the grand tour), but both of his victories have come by retirement. Their only hard court matches (both indoors) have gone Humbert’s way in straight sets, most recently at the 2024 Marseille tournament.
Humbert was in top form this week. The 36th-ranked Frenchman never dropped a single set as he knocked out Terence Atmane, Tallon Griekspoor and Alexander Shevchenko. Davidovich Fokina followed the first round with straight-set defeats to Rinky Hijikata and Valentin Vacherot. Given Humbert’s current form and his strong court history against Davidovich Fokina, a minor upset may be on the cards.
Pick: Humbert at 3
(8) Tomas Machac vs. (2) Tommy Paul
Paul is trying to make up for lost time after missing the entire 2025 fall season due to an adductor and foot injury. The 21st-ranked American lost his opening match to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a third-set tiebreaker at the Brisbane International, but advanced in Adelaide with straight sets wins over Reilly Opelka and Aleksandar Vukic.
Machac is perhaps the most popular player on the tour; you never know what you will get from him on any given day. Machac’s good form has been on display this week, as the 35th-ranked Czech swept James Duckworth, Quentin Halys, and Jaume Munar in easy straight sets. This match could go either way depending on Machac’s form, but Paul is the more reliable of the two players.
Pick: Paul at 2
