Andrey Rublev faces Kyrian Jacquet on Monday in a Hangzhou semifinal that pits the tour's 25th-ranked veteran against a Frenchman playing in his first ATP Tour semifinal. The two have never met.
Rublev is 30-17 in 2026 and reached the last four by beating Rinky Hijikata and Hugo Gaston in straight sets, continuing a season in which his forehand has looked as heavy as it has in years. He has not lost before the semifinal stage at a 250-level event since May.
Jacquet, ranked 107th coming into the week, has been the story of the tournament. He beat Aleksandar Vukic, then stunned third seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry, then outlasted Fabian Marozsan 7-6(12), 6-4, saving all three break points he faced in a match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes. That run lifts him 25 spots up the rankings regardless of Monday's result.
Jacquet's serve has held up under pressure all week, but Rublev's return depth and superior movement in long exchanges should eventually force enough errors from a player who has never faced this level of opponent on tour.
Prediction: Rublev in two sets. Confidence: medium.