Hamburg Open 2022: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alex Molcan Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2022 Hamburg Open as Carlos Alcaraz takes on Alex Molcan in the semifinal on Saturday, July 23rd, 2022.

Will Carlos Alcaraz stumble in his quest to win his fifth ATP title of 2022? Or will the Spanish phenom continue to take on all comers at the Hamburg Open? This has the makings of a very entertaining semifinal, but judging by well the 19-year-old has played this week, he is a huge favorite to advance past Alex Molcan.

Carlos Alcaraz bulldozed his way into the semifinal of the Hamburg Open. He produced a clinical display of relentless aggression and power-hitting from the baseline to knock out Karen Khachanov 6-0 6-2. What he did to the Russian on Friday was pure domination. And if it were a boxing match, then the Russian had the look of a defeated opponent chasing for the canvas after taking one punch too many. It was almost unheard of for Khachanov to win only two of his own service games. Alcaraz pummeled winner after another and kept getting almost every ball back. Overall, the top-seeded Alcaraz fired 21 winners to just seven unforced errors and will be looking to reach his fifth final of 2022 when he takes on Alex Molcan.

Alex Molcan, meanwhile, cruised into the semifinals of the Hamburg Open. He led Borna Coric in the last quarterfinal of the day 7-6 2-0 before the Croat was forced to retire due to injury. Molcan’s record on clay this season and throughout his career should give him a fighting chance against Alcaraz. His heavy topspin is a shot than can wreak havoc even to the most disciplined baseliners. He has already reached two ATP finals this season although he has stumbled across the finish line. Should he win it all this weekend, then he is guaranteed to break the top 30 and reach a new career high ranking. Will he do it?

Carlos Alcaraz and Alex Molcan have never crossed paths on the ATP tour. Alcaraz has a superior baseline game and is probably one of very few players this week that won’t necessarily be intimated by Molcan’s topspin forehand. The Spanish teenager successfully dealt with that particularly weaponry by the best in the business in Rafael Nadal a few months ago in Madrid. And he continues to improve by leaps and bounds. It is a no brainer Alcaraz will likely make it to the final at the Hamburg Open.