Roger Federer makes his 2021 grass-court debut in Halle against Ilya Ivashka, while Sebastian Korda takes on Roberto Bautista Agut on the first day of play. Federer is coming off a fourth-round showing at the French Open.
(5) Roger Federer vs. (Q) Ilya Ivashka
Roger Federer is just back from a lengthy layoff thanks to a pair of knee surgeries in 2020. The Swiss champion made his way to the fourth round at Roland Garros last week, but he withdrew prior to his match against Matteo Berrettini. He cited concern for his knee as the reason for the withdrawal.
Ilya Ivashka has had plenty of time to rest. He was dispatched in the first round of qualies in Paris and in the first round of the main draw in Stuttgart last week. The Belarusian had a good showing on the red clay of Munich, where he reached the semifinals, but the world No. 90 will likely make for a gentle, straightforward introduction for Federer to the grass-court season.
Cheryl pick: Federer in 2
Ricky pick: Federer in 2
Sebastian Korda vs. (6) Roberto Bautista Agut
Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut had a fairly miserable time in Paris. The world No. 10 found himself out of the tournament in the second round at the hands of Henri Laaksonen–a Swiss player ranked 150th in the world. Bautista Agut was, in truth, off his game for the entire European clay-court swing and can’t be sad to be on a different surface on Monday.
Sebastian Korda’s clay season was a mixed bag. The young American snagged his first-ever ATP-level title in Parma the week prior to the French Open but then followed it up with a first-round loss in Paris. He’s a tidy 16-8 for the year, but the draw was not kind to him this week having to face the likes of Bautista Agut in the first round.
In Korda’s young career, he has not yet played a tour-level match on grass. He will get a chance on Monday on the lawns of Halle, but he is unlikely to get any more grass matchplay beyond that this week.
Cheryl pick: Bautista Agut in 3
Ricky pick: Bautista Agut in 2
WWW?
Fed 2-0 without breaking a sweat
RBA 2-0 (RBA pushed Djokovic last year. Goes well on the grass)
Millman is a seasoned grass court player. Opelka doesn have much form on the green stuff.
Federer looks good on the grass. He is playing Ivaska. I came home to watch tennis and turned the TV, thinking this was live! But, it was recorded a long time ago, and Federer won it.
Korda was FANTASTIC today. He looked like he was born on a grass court. I think it’s the best I’ve ever seen him play.