Roger Federer on Monday starts off his Halle campaign against tough competitor John Millman, who upset him at the 2018 U.S. Open. Meanwhile, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Benoit Paire clash in an all-French encounter.
(1) Roger Federer vs. John Millman
Top seed Roger Federer kicks off his grass season against the tricky John Millman. Against another opponent, one who was just shellacked in the semifinals of a slam, Millman might consider this an opportunity. But they’re playing on grass, and Roger Federer is Roger Federer–one of the most decorated grass court players of all time. Further, the 37-year-old is playing well. He had a fantastic spring, holding titles from Dubai and Miami, a final showing in Indian Wells, and recently the semis in Paris.
All of that sounds rather grim for Millman…if it weren’t for the fact that the Aussie took Federer out at the U.S. Open last year. Granted, Federer wasn’t playing particularly well at the time and seemed to struggle in the heavy humidity of the New York summer. Still, Millman took a set from the world No. 3 in their only other encounter in Brisbane back in 2015.
Millman’s spring was about as bad as Federer’s was good. His past two tournaments, one in Paris the other on the grass courts of Stuttgart, resulted in first-round exits. And, frankly, Federer isn’t the opponent you want to see on the other side of the net when you’re struggling with your form.
Cheryl pick: Federer in 2
Ricky pick: Federer in 2
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(WC) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Benoit Paire
French veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has enjoyed success of late, after a long stretch of injuries and working hard to regain some of the form that once propelled him into the top five. He won the event in Montpellier back in February. Tsonga didn’t make much noise on clay, but grass suits his game better. Although his start to the grass season wasn’t particularly successful, he ran into Milos Raonic in a second-round match last week in Stuttgart and went to three sets.
Benoit Paire had a great run in Paris a couple of weeks ago. Kei Nishikori, the five-set master, sent Paire packing–but the Frenchman fought hard. He had a week’s rest and very likely comes into Halle with the confidence of a great performance at Roland Garros. Paire’s ranking jumped up to No. 28 in the world from his pre-French Open mark of No. 51.
Expect a hard-hitting affair, with Paire just coming out on top.
Cheryl pick: Paire in 2
Ricky pick: Paire in 3
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