After a long week we’re left with the final two at the ATP Metz Open. As many would have expected, Hubert Hurkacz and Pablo Carreno Busta have both lived up to their seedings and will now meet each other in the final for the right to take home the trophy. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our prediction for the final, but who will come out on top?
ATP Metz Final Prediction
Hubert Hurkacz vs Pablo Carreno-Busta
Head-to-head: Carreno-Busta 1-0 Hurkacz
This pair only met for the first time last month in Cincinnati, with the Spaniard edging out Hurkacz to win 7-6(6) 7-6(3). If that’s anything to indicate how close the final here in Metz will be, the fans in north-eastern France should be in for an engaging and competitive. Given the fast conditions in Cincinnati, that was perhaps something of a surprise result, but many of Carreno Busta’s best performances have come on North American hard courts.
Still, the fast indoor conditions in Metz should favour Hurkacz. He is unquestionably the better server of the two and is also more comfortable coming forward to finish points off at the net. He has also looked very sharp this week, beating Lucas Pouille, Andy Murray and the in-form Peter Gojowczyk all without losing a set.
Still, although looking at from a matchup point of view it’s hard to see Carreno Busta winning this one, his semifinal win over Gael Monfils should not be overlooked. The second seed showed admirable composure to edge out the popular Frenchman in two very close sets. But whilst there is no doubt that the Spaniard has been in great form this week, when Hurkacz is in this sort of form on a fast hard court he is simply the better player. Carreno Busta may attempt to grind his younger opponent down off the ground, but ultimately Hurkacz should have too much in his locker to lose this one.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Main photo:
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