TennisSection previews the 2021 Halle Open as Alexander Zverev (3) meets Ugo Humbert in the Round of 16 on Thursday June 17th, 2021.
Third seed Alexander Zverev is switching his focus to the grass season after an impressive few months on clay, and will be seeking to prepare as best that he can for Wimbledon. Next up for the German star is the unseeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert, a very talented player. Can Humbert cause the upset? Or will Zverev march on to the Quarter-Finals as expected here at the 2021 Halle Open?
Alexander Zverev is currently ranked #6 in the ATP world rankings and is seeded third here at the 2021 Halle Open. The German has been having a strong season so far, highlighted by titles in Acapulco and the Madrid Masters. While he has never had much success at Wimbledon, he was runner up here in Halle in both 2016 and 2017, proving that he can play on the surface. He was very surprisingly taken to three sets in the First Round by countryman Dominik Koepfer, again losing his focus and dropping the second set. Zverev then roared back to dominate the third set, and served extremely well. In this type of form, he is certainly capable of winning this tournament provided he can be consistent with his performances. He enters this match as the favorite over Ugo Humbert, and will be expected to make another Quarter-Final here in Halle.
Ugo Humbert is ranked #31 on the ATP Tour, and is a very talented left hander. The Frenchman had been in an incredible slump lately, losing five consecutive matches on tour before finding some form in Stuttgart, where he reached the Quarter-Finals before losing to eventual Finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime. Like his opponent Alexander Zverev, Humbert was pushed to three sets in his First Round match by Sam Querry, impressively defeating the big serving American who has a solid grass court resume. While he enters this match against Zverev as the underdog, he will take confidence in the fact that his opponent is still a bit fatigued and not at his best, while he has quite a bit of grass court match practice under his belt.
This will be the first meeting between the two players on the ATP Tour, and it is sure to be an interesting one. Alexander Zverev is one of the best players in the world, and the 22 year old Humbert is one of the most talented youngsters in world tennis. Since Zverev is not quite at his best on this surface yet I am expecting a close battle, but one that I think that he will eventually win. He is an accomplished grass court player and is extremely experienced, and will not want to lose here as he prepares for a run at the Wimbledon title. This may eventually go to three sets, but Alexander Zverev will get the win here, advancing to the Quarter-Finals at the 2021 Halle Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Alexander Zverev to win
Want more Free Tennis Picks from our Experts? Check out our latest Tennis Predictions now!
