The first round will be completed on Tuesday at the 2023 ATP Moselle Open in Metz, along with three second-round clashes. Fourth seed and Metz-native Ugo Humbert takes on Dominic Thiem. Who do you think will prevail?
ATP Metz Day 3 Predictions
Thiago Seyboth Wild vs Fabio Fognini
Head-to-head: Seyboth Wild 1-0
They recently met in the final of the Genoa Challenger, where Thiago Seyboth Wild defeated five Italians on the way to the title. He’s yet to make much main tour impact other than the win over Daniil Medvedev at Roland Garros, especially indoors. He didn’t look completely inadequate in recent weeks though and even took a set off Tallon Griekspoor in Basel. He should be a slight favorite over Fabio Fognini again. The Italian has been playing with some increased motivation of late, but it hasn’t amounted to much.
Prediction: Seyboth Wild in 3
Abdullah Shelbayh vs Hugo Gaston
Head-to-head: First meeting
Abdullah Shelbayh had a nice breakthrough moment at the beginning of the year, including scoring his first main tour win in Banja Luka. He then cooled off for a while, but claimed his first Challenger title at the beginning of October in Charleston. He usually performs best when he has enough time to utilize his court craft and he should against Hugo Gaston, who doesn’t have the most imposing playstyle and will be dragging him into cat-and-mouse games. The Frenchman has been more focused than usual recently though and he can be quite scary when that happens.
Prediction: Gaston in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0
Ugo Humbert’s resurgence season was amazing and with a title this week, he could get back into the top 20. It’s not going to be easy though and he actually has a rather poor record at his home event (1-4). But the last month or so he’s been winning matches at the ATP level very consistently and dominated Dominic Thiem in the final of the Rennes Challenger last year. It’s unlikely to be that easy again, but Humbert has been bringing that peak level with a lot more consistency than Thiem of late.
Prediction: Humbert in 2
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports