Marseille QF previews and predictions: Humbert vs. Davidovich Fokina, Hurkacz vs. Machac

Ugo Humbert is France’s best hope to keep the Marseille title in house and he will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the quarterfinals on Friday. Hubert Hurkacz and Tomas Machac are also aiming for a place in the semis.

(4) Ugo Humbert vs. (5) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Arthur Rinderkench is still alive at the Open 13 as second-round action continues, but Humbert is France’s only realistic title hope. The No. 4 seed followed up a bye with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over compatriot Hugo Gaston on Wednesday. It took a while for Humbert to adjust to the conditions in Marseille, but once he found his footing it was one-way traffic. The world No. 21 has been red hot dating back to last fall, when he wrapped up his 2023 campaign with an indoor hard-court title in front of the home crowd (Metz).

Davidovich Fokina awaits Humbert in the quarterfinals on Friday. They have squared off on three previous occasions, with the 24th-ranked Spaniard leading the head-to-head series 2-1 (2-0 on the main tour). However, their only completed match since 2018 came on clay, which heavily favors Davidovich Fokina (he won 6-4, 6-4 three years ago in Estoril). An indoor hard court in France obviously gives Humbert a much better chance. Davidovich Fokina did well to defeat Gregoire Barrere and Emil Ruusuvuori earlier in the week, but Humbert presents an even tougher test.

Pick: Humbert in 3

(1) Hubert Hurkacz vs. Tomas Machac

Hurkacz is the top seed and defending champion in Marseille. If not for the surface being painfully slow this week, he would be a heavy favorite to take the title yet again. Even in relatively unfavorable conditions, Hurkacz had no trouble beating Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 6-4 on Thursday. Thus continues a strong start to 2024 for the eighth-ranked Pole, who led his country to the United Cup final and made a run to the Australian Open quarters before falling to Daniil Medvedev in five sets.

Up next for Hurkacz is Machac, who has advanced in Marseille with victories over Andy Murray and Lorenzo Musetti. The 23-year-old Czech is in stellar form and coming off a third-round showing at the Aussie Open. Macach is not an easy out, but even on a slow court Hurkacz appears to be extremely comfortable at this event. The 2023 champion fired 13 aces past Shevchenko; if he serves like that again, he should advance to the semifinals.

Pick: Hurkacz in 2