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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WWW?
Zv in 2….Tpas in 2.
Jarry outplaying Romeo…
Are any of the ‘ young’ players capable of playing on grass?
congrats to me
Romeo is out! Romance doesn’t seem to improve his tennis…
When did Romeo last win a tournament? Can’t remember. Needs to sack dad and suggest mum and dad don’t come to every tournament! I remember too many cringey moments with them.
Agreed. Can remember when he ordered his mother to leave his box. He sometimes looks like he is about to punch his father..It’s way too toxic..
Amy, thanks for your words. Right now, I am in pain. I will post a reply there later.
I know you are Elizabeth!
Sending you a big hug…
Xxx
PS I strongly recommend you stay away from Nazi chops…
That is precisely why I picked Nico Jarry! Romeo can hang out with the Cart Horse, two of a kind. Romeo had trouble focusing before he fell in love! We shall see what happens to Paula Badosa’s tennis too.
And congrats, Ricky!
Romeo has this new bizarre blissed out thinking of instagram with Paula smile on his face…
Not exactly helping him..