Hubert Hurkacz vs Alexander Shevchenko Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Marseille

Prediction published on 07/02/2024, 10:34  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 08/02/2024 at 04:00 in Tennis Predictions

Top seed Hubert Hurkacz will begin the defence of his Open 13 Provence title in the second round against Alexander Shevchenko. The winner will then proceed to the quarterfinals where a showdown with either Tomas Machac or Lorenzo Musetti will await. Hubert Hurkacz triumphed here last season in what was his return after a three-year hiatus. It was the first of two tour titles in the year and he will be hoping for at the very least, another similar run. The Pole has had a convincing start to the year, winning eight of 11 matches. After guiding his nation to a runner-up finish in the United Cup, Hurkacz went on to make the last eight in Melbourne. His last outing was in the Davis Cup where he won his sole match. Hurkacz, who is ranked eighth in the ATP, defeated Shevchenko last season in Dubai in their only encounter to date.

Alexander Shevchenko has been in good form on indoor hard courts to offset his poor start to the year. He has won three of four matches on the surface to take his record for the season to 5-4. One of those wins was in the first round here against the man Hurkacz defeated in the final last year. The Ukrainian defeated Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets to start his debut appearance here perfectly. Before arriving at the Open 13 Provence, the 23-year-old had made the quarterfinals in Montpellier. Shevchenko is a decent performer on indoor hard courts and earned his only tour final appearance on the surface last year. Coincidentally this was in France in Metz and probably he can have another memorable performance in the country. He has moved up three places to 56th in the live ranking.