Japan Open 2024: Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac
Date: September 30 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $1,818,380
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - DAZN
Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac preview
World No. 19 Ugo Humbert will take on World No. 34 in the semifinals of the Japan Open. Whoever wins, will reach the final of the ATP 500 event in Tokyo for the first time in their respective careers.
Humbert has won 31 out of 51 matches so far in the 2024 season, winning two titles, including an ATP 500 event in Dubai. He also reached the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
The Frenchman started his campaign at the Japan Open with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 win over local wildcard Shintaro Mochizuki. He then registered another straight-set win over Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 6-2) to set up a quarterfinal clash against Jack Draper.
Humbert took the lead in the match by winning the opening set 7-5 and was leading 2-1 in the second when Draper was forced to retire due to an abdominal issue. The Frenchman thus reached his third final of the 2024 season.
Machac has won 26 out of 44 matches so far in 2024, with his most notable performance being reaching the final of the Geneva Open and the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. The Czech also made it to the last eight of the Open 13 in Marseille.
Machac did not have the easiest of starts to his campaign in Tokyo, as he edged out Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-5. The 23-year-old then faced fifth seed Tommy Paul and came back from a set down to beat him 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) and book his place in the quarterfinals.
Here, the Czech faced American qualifier Alex Michelsen and took the lead after winning the first set 7-6(2). Machac made the decisive break in the eighth game of the second set before holding serve to register a 7-6(2), 6-3 win and reach his second semifinal of the 2024 season.
Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac head-to-head
The two never locked horns previously on the ATP Tour, so their head-to-head is currently tied at 0-0.
Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac odds
Odds will be updated when available
Ugo Humbert vs Tomas Machac prediction
Humbert (60.7) and Machac (59.1) have almost identical win percentages so far in 2024 and both have had some promising results on hard courts. So, we could have an interesting fixture to witness.
Humbert has had decent numbers on his first serve, winning 76.9% of points (70 out of 91) while serving 13 aces. The 26-year-old has also produced 73 winners compared to 69 unforced errors.
The Frenchman likes to play aggressively and will look to attack from the first point. His backhand is an effective weapon that will come in handy, as will his net game.
Machac has also had decent numbers on his first serve, serving 22 aces while winning 142 out of 182 points on it (78.02%). The Czech's winner count (108) is slightly better than his unforced error tally (106).
Just like Humbert, Machac's strength is his backhand and he will rely heavily on his service games while looking for the odd decisive break. The Czech plays well from the baseline and has a high rally endurance.
While it won't be a surprise if Machac wins, Humbert's more experience in big fixtures like these might just about see him coming out on top and reaching his third final of 2024.
Pick: Humbert to win in three sets.