Paris Masters 2020: Milos Raonic vs Ugo Humbert preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: Milos Raonic vs Ugo Humbert
Date: 6 November 2020
Tournament: Rolex Paris Masters 2020
Round: Quarterfinals
Venue: Paris, France
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Prize money: €3,901,015
Match timing: Approx 4 pm local time, 8:30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - ESPN / Tennis Channel | India - Sony Six / Sony Liv
Milos Raonic vs Ugo Humbert preview
Former Paris finalist Milos Raonic seems to have taken little time to bounce back from an injury scare at last month's European Open.
The Canadian, who reached the summit clash at the Paris Masters back in 2014, has been dominant in his three wins so far. He is now set to play in his seventh quarterfinal of the season, but faces a tough task ahead.
Raonic's opponent in this one will be home favorite Ugo Humbert, who has been playing some fine tennis himself of late.
Ugo Humbert's big game has been on the showcase here in Paris, having won him some very tight matches. His run of good form began in Antwerp last month; having won the title there, he is now on an eight-match winning streak.
Humbert's upsets this week include the second-round win over Stefanos Tsitsipas and a pre-quarterfinal victory over Marin Cilic. He now has his eyes set on a first Masters 1000 semifinal.
That would be a good stepping stone for the youngster, who at the age of 22 has already proven his prowess by winning two ATP titles. Against Raonic he faces an opponent who brings a lot of firepower, but that is something he has already had to deal with in his last two matches.
Milos Raonic vs Ugo Humbert head-to-head
This will be the first career meeting between the two players, so their current head-to-head stands at a 0-0 deadlock.
Milos Raonic vs Ugo Humbert prediction
Milos Raonic enters this match-up as a slight favorite. And given the kind of upsets that Ugo Humbert has managed to cause this week, the Canadian will also face a lot of pressure to win.
Luckily for him, the matches in Paris would have likely taken a toll on Humbert's body. The 22-year-old has had to battle some very tough matches this week, and he looked exhausted at the end of his win over Cilic.
Humbert will have very little time to recover and get in shape for this quarterfinal. So Raonic would look to take the initiative and keep his opponent on the run.
Ordinarily you wouldn't have expected this one to have too many long rallies, but the current scenario could make things a little more interesting. Humbert, in particular, will look to win points within the first few shots and conserve all his energy.
If the young Frenchman can find a way to stay solid on serve, he would fancy winning another tie-break to start the match with. But if he loses the opening set, that would significantly hamper his chances.
Despite Humbert's impeccable recent record in three setters, it is Raonic who might be at an advantage the longer the match goes on.
Prediction: Milos Raonic to win in three sets.