The ATP 500 tournament in Halle begins with an interesting opening day of action. 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas will play their opening matches in Germany. We here at LWOT predict the five contests on the slate, but which players do you think will triumph?
ATP Halle Day 1 Predictions
Fabian Marozsan vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Neither man tends to play their best tennis on grass. Marozsan tries to dominate points with his huge forehand, while Kecmanovic prefers to extend the rallies and will look to get into as many cross-court backhand rallies as possible. This could be a tight battle decided by a few points, but I am backing Kecmanovic’s consistency to triumph.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Alexandre Muller
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bublik’s run to the French Open quarterfinal was one of the most surprising moments of the season so far. The Kazakhstani had struggled on the dirt until that moment. By contrast, grass has always suited his game, as shown when he won the title in Halle two years ago. Muller is a decent player on all surfaces, but is usually strongest on clay. Bublik should have too much for him in this matchup.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Quentin Halys vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-head: Bonzi 2-0 Halys
Halys’s game suits grass well despite his preference for clay. He has twice been to the Wimbledon third round and pushed the eventual champion Taylor Fritz last week in Stuttgart. The grass-court conditions in Halle might make it slightly too challenging for Bonzi to defend against Halys’ aggression.
Prediction: Halys in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Daniel Altmaier
Head-to-head: First meeting
Medvedev lost to Reilly Opelka in two tiebreaks in the quarterfinal of last week’s Libema Open. The former world No. 1 will feel better about his chances here. Opelka’s huge serving made it impossible for Medvedev to get a foothold in the match. There will be many more rallies against Altmaier, and Medvedev should be able to grind the German down.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Luciano Darderi
Grass is Tsitsipas’ weakest surface, but this is a good draw for him. Darderi’s game does not naturally suit the surface, and he is still learning how to play on it. Expectations are even lower than usual for Tsitsipas heading into the grass-court swing after a challenging start to 2025. Going under the radar could actually suit the Greek.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
