The 2023 grass-court season wraps up this week in Newport, Rhode Island, with the Infosys Hall of Fame Open. The legendary grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame welcomed a 28-man singles draw to its grounds which has since dwindled to eight. Just two quarterfinal matches will take place on Day 4, though they both set up to be must-watch encounters. Kevin Anderson looks to make the semifinals in his first professional event in over 16 months but will have to get past feisty Frenchman Ugo Humbert. We at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of Newport. But who will advance?
ATP Newport Day 4 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: Mannarino 4-2 Thompson
Adrian Mannarino and Jordan Thompson have a lengthy head-to-head history, including four meetings on grass. Mannarino holds the grass-court head-to-head 3-1, but Thompson did best the Frenchman in three sets last month in Den Bosch. Both men play their best tennis on the grass and have been dangerous on the surface this season. Thompson has dropped just five games in two matches in Newport and is seeing the ball very well. It will be crucial for him to handle Mannarino’s lefty serve, but in five+ shot rallies, I give the edge to the Aussie. This should be a tight match, but I see Thompson finding a way into the semis.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Ugo Humbert vs Kevin Anderson
Head-to-Head: Humbert 1-0 Anderson
Kevin Anderson’s return to the ATP Tour could not have gone better as he won his first two matches in Newport without dropping a set. The grass courts are still kind to his ferocious serve, and his movement does not seem to be an issue. His competition will be much more challenging in the quarterfinals when he takes on No. 3 seed Ugo Humbert. The 25-year-old Frenchman has been fond of the grass throughout his career but has struggled on the surface in 2023. If Humbert can lengthen the points, he will hold the advantage over Anderson. That said, I see the former World No. 5 having another terrific day from the service line while raising his level when it matters most.
Prediction: Anderson in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
