There are only three more weeks of ATP Tour action before the ATP Finals kicks off, and many top players will look to pick up momentum in Basel at an ATP 500 event. Among the players in action on Monday include rising star Arthur Fils, home-crowd hero Jérôme Kym, and Top 10 player Andrey Rublev. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Basel Day 1 Predictions
Jérôme Kym vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kym will play his fourth-ever ATP Tour match in this Basel first-round occasion, but he made it here by winning two qualifying matches in straight sets. Kym’s two matches included a 6-1 7-6 (3) win over former World No. 42 Arthur Rinderknech. Humbert has performed fairly well in the latter half of 2024, notably making the finals of the ATP 500 event in Tokyo. In front of his home crowd, Kym should have nothing to lose, but his game may be too inexperienced for the big show courts. Look for Humbert to drop a set early, but then reach the second round.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Arthur Fils vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: 2-2
Fils is an exciting player to watch, and it will be interesting to see how his game continues to grow in the latter part of the 2024 season. The Frenchman has an aggressive game that should translate to Basel’s quicker courts. Meanwhile, Altmaier should not be written off in this matchup — he won the pair’s only meeting on indoor hard courts in Paris last fall while winning their latest meeting in Madrid and only dropping five games. Altmaier claimed a confidence-boosting qualifying win in a third-set tiebreaker. Fils should be the favorite in the end, but it could be a close match that comes down to big points.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Roberto Carballés Baena vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-head: Carballés Baena 1-0
Carballés Baena has a consistent game that best translates to clay courts, but he did well to push the Top 10 Australian Alex De Minaur to a third set in Antwerp last week. Arnaldi has the more aggressive game of the two, mostly due to his big forehand, but he’ll have to limit unforced errors and avoid letting the Spaniard into the match. The Italian should be the favorite, and he’ll have to serve well and take control of the match early on.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 2
James Duckworth vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: First meeting
Mpetshi Perricard will likely be a future Top 30 player in upcoming years, but his game has stagnated a bit ever since a successful first half of the year. Now 1-7 since Wimbledon, he could use a big week here. While the faster courts will suit his big serve, Mpetshi Perricard has struggled with inconsistency. Meanwhile, Duckworth’s quick speed and virtuosity on the court may give him the edge. He’s already played qualifying matches this week and should have the confidence to cause a minor upset.
Prediction: Duckworth in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a tough opening match for Rublev, who has dealt with surprising losses since the US Open. Borges currently sits just outside the Top 30 and is mostly defending points from ATP Challenger Tour events. The Portuguese No. 1 is yet to take out a Top 10 player, and it marks one of the next steps he needs to take in his game. Rublev may be vulnerable in pressure-filled moments, and Borges will have to capitalize on his consistent game. This match should go into a third set.
Prediction: Rublev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
