Halle R2 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Shapovalov, Tsitsipas vs. Jarry

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev are on a collision course for the quarterfinals in Halle. However, they won’t be looking past respective second-round matches on Wednesday against Nicolas Jarry and Denis Shapovalov.

(9) Alexander Zverev vs. Denis Shapovalov

Zverev and Shapovalov will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Terra Wortmann Open on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 4-3 in favor of Zverev, who also has a big edge in form at the moment. His comeback from a 2022 ankle injury has been impressive, highlighted by another semifinal showing at the French Open. The 22nd-ranked German opened in front of the home crowd in Halle on Tuesday by beating Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4.

Shapovalov has been a complete disaster in 2023. He has a losing record (10-11) and started this week at No. 88 in the race to Turin. The 24-year-old Canadian did well to defeat Lloyd Harris 7-6(1), 6-4 on Monday, but that hardly indicates his readiness for a much tough challenge in the form of Zverev. Count on the ninth seed advancing to the quarterfinals without too much trouble.

Pick: Zverev in 2

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Nicolas Jarry vs. (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas is not a big fan of grass, and he is lucky to still be alive in Halle heading into second-round competition. The second-seeded Greek just barely got past Gregoire Barrere 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) on Monday to avoid going 0-2 in his first two matches on this surface (lost his opening match in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to Richard Gasquet).

Up next for Tsitsipas on Wednesday is a third career meeting with Jarry. Unsurprisingly, Tsitsipas prevailed on clay (6-3, 6-4 this spring in Monte-Carlo) and Jarry got the job done on grass (6-4, 3-6, 6-4 at the 2019 ‘s-Hertogenbosch tournament). The 28th-ranked Chilean may not be at his absolute best on the green stuff, but his big-hitting game works well on it and he can exploit Tsitsipas’ backhand by taking time away from the world No. 5. Jarry cruised past Corentin Moutet 6-3, 7-5 in the first round and he has a great chance to keep his momentum going.

Pick: Jarry in 3

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