Day 5 at the Hall of Fame Open features the rest of the quarterfinal matches. Friday features No. 1 seed John Isner, who came through a tough three-setter in his previous match to reach the quarterfinals. Who will make the semifinals? Read on to find out!
ATP Hall of Fame Open Day 5 Quarterfinal Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Ilya Ivashka
Head to Head: never played
Ugo Humbert battles Ilya Ivashka for a spot in the semifinals in Newport. Humbert beat last year’s finalist Ramkumar Ramanathan in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals. After a tight first set, Humbert found his groove and easily won the second set. Ilya Ivashka has not dropped a set so far at the Hall of Fame Open, beating Bernard Tomic and Christopher Eubanks in straights. After winning 90% of first serve points against Tomic, Ivashka won 83% of first serve points against Eubanks.
These two have never played before. Both players will look to play first-strike tennis in order to get control of the point early. Humbert has played a lot more on grass recently than Ivashka, as this is Ilya’s first grass court tournament of the season (and second tournament overall since April). Humbert made the Round of 16 at Wimbledon and is clearly figuring out how to play on the grass. Humbert wins, but it will be tight.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
John Isner vs Matthew Ebden
Head to Head: 4-1 Isner
John Isner takes on Matthew Ebden in the quarterfinals of the Hall of Fame Open. Newport is just the second tournament for Isner since March. Isner had to fight hard to win his second round match in three sets against Kamil Majchrzak. Isner is always a threat because of his huge serve. Ebden has really struggled this season, having won only four (non-exhibition) matches coming into Newport. However, Ebden beat Brayden Schnur and Denis Kudla to reach the quarterfinals at the Hall of Fame Open. Against Kudla, Ebden only dropped four games.
Isner leads the head to head 4-1. The American has won both of their matches on grass in straight sets, including a 2017 win in Newport. Isner’s serve will be very tough for Ebden to handle, especially with the unpredictable bounces on the courts of the Hall of Fame Open. Despite having won a couple matches this week, Ebden’s confidence can’t be high given the season he has had. If things start to go wrong for Ebden, you can’t help but wonder if he will go away mentally. Isner moves on.
Prediction: Isner in 2
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