It’s time to wrap up the opening round of the 2023 ATP Auckland Classic. There are seven exciting matches on the schedule at the ASB Tennis Centre and, as ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match, including John Isner vs Gregoire Barrere. But who will reach the second round?
ATP Auckland Day 2 Predictions
Alex Molcan vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: first meeting
Quentin Halys played a brilliant match against Novak Djokovic in Adelaide last week, but was taken out in a couple of tiebreaks. If he brings this level to the table here, he should be advancing rather comfortably. The Frenchman’s style is very inconsistent though and you can never really be sure whether he’ll perform at his best, with the level he has displayed on the big stage not always backed up in less glamourous encounters. That said, Alex Molcan is having a weaker patch recently though and may end up as a non-factor in this match, watching Halys either blast winners or spray errors.
Prediction: Halys in 2
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Christopher Eubanks vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0 Eubanks
Ugo Humbert is not at the peak of powers at the moment, but he’s also not the player who was desperate for any sort confidence in the spring of last year. This should be a very exciting match with Christopher Eubanks is nearing a top 100 debut and happy to swing freely. The American has become a more complete player recently, but Humbert’s lefty serve angles going at his one-handed backhand return might prove too much in this matchup though. Humbert has a good skillset to expose his opponent’s liabilities and although Eubanks is good enough to keep this competitive, expect the Frenchman to have the edge.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
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Ben Shelton vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ben Shelton is one of the most exciting talents just breaking through to the ATP Tour. While he lost to James Duckworth in Adelaide qualifying to start the year, this should be a better matchup for him. Out of his last 15 hard-court matches, Sebastian Baez has only won once, beating Lorenzo Sonego in Naples. That should make this a great opportunity for Shelton to get back to his winning ways. Baez can play on hard courts, despite his recent struggles, but Shelton will be able to make the running and should advance comfortably enough.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
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