Day two at the Halle Open boasts a full slate of exciting matches, with a number of star names set to compete, including nine-time former champion Roger Federer and defending champion Borna Coric. But who will book their place in the second round?
David Goffin vs Guido Pella (first on Court 2)
Head-to-head: Goffin 2-0 Pella
It had been a disappointing eighteen months for David Goffin after finishing 2017 ranked inside the world’s top eight. But he has played some excellent tennis of late, reaching the third round in Paris, where he took a set off Rafael Nadal, and the quarterfinals at Rosmalen, where he lost narrowly to eventual champion Adrian Mannarino in three sets. In short, he should feel confident about his chances of putting together a good run at the Halle Open.
His first obstacle will be eighth seed Guido Pella, who has been enjoying the finest season of his career in 2019. But, he does not have much grass-court pedigree, despite beating Marin Cilic en route to the third round at Wimbledon last season. Goffin’s ability to spread the court and take the ball early and on the rise make him a rather more natural grass-courter than the Argentine. Expect him to take advantage of his greater affinity for this surface.
Prediction: Goffin in two.
Embed from Getty Images
Rudolf Molleker vs Sergiy Stakhovsky (second on Court 1)
Head-to-head: first meeting
Rising star Rudolf Molleker has yet to really make a significant impact at tour-level, but he has been playing very well at Challenger-level and recently qualified into the French Open. Awarded a wildcard into the Halle Open, he will surely be hoping to take full advantage, but will be in for a tough test against the serve-volleying qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky. The Ukrainian, who famously beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2013, may be approaching the end of his career, but he remains a skilled grass-court player. Expect him to prove too canny for the young German.
Prediction: Stahkovsky in three.
Embed from Getty Images
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Taylor Fritz (second on Court 2)
Head-to-head: Bautista Agut 3-1 Fritz
It has been another very solid year for Roberto Bautista Agut, highlighted by a run to the Australian Open quarterfinals and winning the title in Doha. And unlike most of his countryman, he will surely be relishing the switch from clay to the grass. His flat groundstrokes are at their least penetrative on the red clay, but on grass they tend to skid through the court very effectively. He will also bring his trademark competitiveness and fleet movement to the court.
Taylor Fritz moves well in his own right, but the American’s game is still short of the sort of standout weapon that could take him to the next level. Without it, his career will likely continue to rather stall. Make no mistake, a top 50 ranking is an impressive achievement, but a number of Fritz’s peers have climbed significantly higher. Unfortunately, the Halle Open does not seem a likely venue for Fritz’s to make real progress in that area. He did defeat Bautista Agut in Lyon last month, but was beaten handily by him in Paris. Expect the Spaniard to come out on top once again in Saxony-Anhalt.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in three.
Embed from Getty Images
Roger Federer vs John Millman (fourth on Stadion)
Head-to-head: Federer 1-1 Millman
Roger Federer, the top seed in Halle, will not want for motivation up against John Millman after the Australian stunned him in sweltering conditions in the fourth round in New York last season. And back in the more temperate conditions at the Halle Open, the Swiss will surely feel confident about his chances. Millman has many qualities, but his defensively minded game is ill-suited to grass-court tennis and it is hard to envisage Federer having too many problems in this one. Expect the world #3 to start his grass-court campaign with a routine straight-sets win.
Prediction: Federer in two.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
