Antwerp 2020: Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ugo Humbert preview, head-to-head & prediction | ATP European Open
Match details
Fixture: Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ugo Humbert
Date: 21 October 2020
Tournament: ATP European Open
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Antwerp, Belgium
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €394,800
Match timing: Approx 2.30 pm CEST, 6 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ugo Humbert preview
Second seed Pablo Carreno Busta takes on Ugo Humbert in the second round of the ATP European Open in Antwerp on Wednesday.
Carreno Busta has been in decent form on either side of the lockdown, but hasn't yet made a final this year. A semifinal berth at the US Open was followed by a quarterfinal showing at Roland Garros before coming into Antwerp, where he has received a first round bye.
The Spaniard faces off against France's Ugo Humbert, who himself has been in solid form recently. The Frenchman defeated Daniil Medvedev to reach the quarterfinal of the Hamburg European Open, and at the St. Petersburg Open he was narrowly defeated by eventual champion Andrey Rublev in the second round.
The 22 -year-old comes into the second round in Antwerp after a routine straight-sets win over Kimmer Coppejans in the first round.
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ugo Humbert head-to-head
The second round encounter in Antwerp is the first between Pablo Carreno Busta and Ugo Humbert, so the head-to-head between the two players stands at 0-0. Carreno Busta is currently ranked 15th in the ATP rankings, while Humbert is ranked 38th.
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Ugo Humbert prediction
Given his superior ranking and good form, Pablo Carreno Busta comes into the match against Ugo Humbert as the favorite. However, Ugo Humbert has shown in the recent past that he can pull off upsets against higher-ranked players.
The Spaniard's dogged and patient style of play might not be ideal for the quick indoor hardcourts in Antwerp, but he is undoubtedly solid in all parts of the game. Carreno Busta can do some damage by tiring out his opponents in long exchanges.
Humbert, on the other hand, is an out-and-out aggressive baseliner and looks to take the ball early. The Frenchman looks to take time away from his opponents in neutral rallies and can also employ deft touch at the net to finish points quickly if required.
Humbert possesses the ability to shake things up for Carreno Busta, but the Spaniard should prevail if he is fit.
Prediction: Pablo Carreno Busta to win in three sets.