It’s time for the second week of the grass court season, and the stakes are a little bit higher at the ATP Halle Open, a 500-level event. Eight of the world’s top 20 players will feature over the course of the week and there are six intriguing matches on the slate on day one. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Hubert Hurkacz vs Flavio Cobolli. But who will advance?
ATP Halle Day 1 Predictions
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: Koepfer 1-0 Auger-Aliassime
It’s been a tough stretch for Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last year, but the Canadian #1 recently picked up his form and reached the fourth round at Roland Garros – though he was well-beaten there by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Adjusting to the faster courts may be a challenge for the Canadian, but he thrives on faster grass courts. Dominik Koepfer put a solid week together in Stuttgart, and he’ll again have the benefit of the home crowd in Halle. Auger-Aliassime will have to hold his serve and gain the lead early in the match to stay confident. The pair’s last meeting came in 2021 which Koepfer won, but if Auger-Aliassime can maintain the level he showed in Paris he should have the edge here.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
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Fabian Marozsan vs Roman Safiullin
Head-to-head: first meeting
Fabian Marozsan thrives on slower courts, but his excellent movement and deft drop shot may help him, despite being 0-3 on grass. On the other hand, Roman Safiullin’s aggression should give him confidence on the grass courts. Safiullin will soon have to defend quarterfinalist points from last year’s Wimbledon, so he’ll have to play well here and rescue as many points as possible. He should have enough power and confidence to win in this matchup.
Prediction: Safiullin in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: Medvedev 1-0 Borges
The pair’s first and only meeting was a big one; it took place in the fourth round at the Australian Open this year with Daniil Medvedev coming out on top in four sets. Nuno Borges is yet to win a match on grass in his career, as his ranking has increased principally due to success on clay courts. That said, Medvedev does often take time to adjust to different surfaces, so Borges will have to take advantage of break points and adjust quickly to the Russian’s unorthodox style of play. It probably won’t be enough to win this match, however.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
