Pablo Carreño-Busta vs Alex Molcan Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Hamburg European Open

Prediction published on 19/07/2022, 12:25  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 19/07/2022 at 15:54 in Tennis Predictions

Pablo Carreno Busta is only the fourth seed in the Hamburg Open but he is the defending champion. The Spaniard takes on the unseeded Alex Molcan, with the winner facing either Borna Coric or Tallon Greikspoor in the last eight. Busta began this week ranked 23rd in the world but up to 22nd after his straight sets first round win over qualifier Luca Nardi. He only lost three games in that match as he continued the good form he showed in the Swedish Open last week. Busta relished the return to clay and reached the semi-final, losing to Francisco Cerundolo. He'd lost three successive matches before that, all played on grass. He seems to be returning to the level of play that saw him reach the final in Barcelona in April. He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in that final and could meet him in the semi-finals here.

His opponent is ranked 48th in the world but that's ten places lower than his career high achieved two months ago. This is his first tournament since reaching the last 32 at Wimbledon. He might not be too keen on the prospect of winning this match and then possibly facing Tallon Greikspoor, who has beaten him twice in the past month or so. Molcan has already reached two clay court finals this year in Marrakesh and Lyon.  He had a comfortable straight sets win over qualifer Marko Topo. This is going to be tough though and the suggested wager is on Busta to get the win.