Alexander Zverev is the top seed remaining in Halle and he will continue his title bid against Ugo Humbert on Thursday afternoon. Sebastian Korda and Kei Nishikori are also aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals.
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. Ugo Humbert
Zverev and Humbert will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Noventi Open on Thursday. Humbert is just happy to be in this match after surviving a tough first-round test against former Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey. The 31st-ranked Frenchman failed to serve out the match from 40-15 up late in the third set but ended up beating Querrey 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5). It was a much-needed win for Humbert, who is just 10-13 this season after compiling a horrendous 1-6 record on clay.
In a more surprising development, Zverev also had trouble in the opening round. The world No. 6 dropped a set to fellow German Dominik Koepfer but rebounded to prevail 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Thus continues a stellar 2021 for Zverev, who captured titles in Acapulco and Madrid before making a run to the French Open semifinals. Halle’s third seed has plenty of accomplishments on grass, too, so he is on obvious favorite in this contest.
Pick: Zverev in 2
Kei Nishikori vs. Sebastian Korda
Although Korda’s clay-court swing was all over the place, his season has been outstanding for the most part. Seventeen of his 20 career ATP-level match victories have come in 2021, including his first two final appearances. The 20-year-old American finished runner-up at Delray Beach and then captured a title on the red clay of Parma. Korda’s other clay-court tournaments were pretty much disasters, but that has left him well-rested for the grass stretch. He certainly looked good on Monday, upsetting Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 7-6(0).
Up next for the world No. 52 on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Nishikori. The 31-year-old from Japan was once again up to his final-set tricks in the opening round, when he defeated Ricardas Berankis 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Nishikori’s physical state can never be trusted, and we saw it again in round four at Roland Garros when he followed up a couple of tough matches by losing to Zverev 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. The world No. 57 has played a lot of tennis in recent weeks, whereas a rested and confident Korda has to be feeling good in every way. His big, flat strokes are looking dangerous on grass, too.
Pick: Korda in 3
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