Australian Open 2023: Holger Rune vs. Ugo Humbert Tennis Pick and Prediction

TennisSection previews the 2023 Australian Open as Holger Rune takes on Ugo Humbert in the third round on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

It is officially Holger Rune’s deepest run at the Australian Open. But now the Dane will be expected to reach the second week. How will he fare when he faces resurgent Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the third round?

Holger Rune has gone under the radar a bit at this year’s Australian Open, but make no mistake about it, he’s looked very good. His opening two rounds were far from a cakewalk, as he defeated both Filip Krajinovic and Maxime Cressy without dropping a set. Against Cressy in particular, he was simply unstoppable off that return. The American landed just 56% first serves in the whole match and was broken four times.

Ugo Humbert, for his part, has also put together his best showing at the Australian Open. The Frenchman upset compatriot Richard Gasquet in his opener and then overcame a stubborn Denis Kudla in four sets to reach the third-round stage at Melbourne Park for the first time. Humbert, who is looking to re-enter the Top 100, will look to pull off his first Top 10 win of the season when he meets Holger Rune.

Holger Rune leads the head-to-head over Ugo Humbert 2-0. He won both meetings last year, first at the Indian Wells Masters and more recently at the Swiss Indoors. It’s been a welcome return to form for Humbert whose game is slowly coming back together. But he’s far from hitting his stride I think, and Rune is playing immaculately well with his accuracy on point. The young Dane should romp into the fourth round.