The opening round matches at the 2019 ATP Metz Open will be played on Tuesday, September 17 and couple of the seeded players will be in action on the day. Latest Jan-Lennard Struff v Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Pablo Andujar v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tips and predictions with their previews along with others can be found below.
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Jan-Lennard Struff v Pierre-Hugues Herbert Preview
Jan-Lennard Struff and Pierre-Hugues Herbert meet in the opening round of the Moselle Open at Metz. This is their second meeting after Struff won their only meeting on the Barcelona clay in 2017 in straight sets.
Both players have had some positive periods this year, but not managed to outperform as much as promised. Struff has had his best season defeating top ten players of the nature of Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, reaching a career high ranking of 33 and reaching the final 16 of a major at the French Open for the first time.
Doubles former world number two Pierre-Hugues Herbert has won the career slam in doubles and been focusing on his singles game this season. Similar to Struff, he broke into the top 40 for the first time this year, after performing well on the indoor courts in Europe in February, continued by a decent run on grass.
Expect a good match between two players with contrasting styles; Herbert strong at the net and Struff with powerful strokes on either wing. Struff maybe a slight favorite but that will be mitigated by the home crowd in favor of the Frenchman. Not a lot to separate these two; expect Struff to win in three tight sets.
Tip: Struff to win in three sets: 3/1 (888Sport)
Pablo Andujar v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Preview
Spain’s Pablo Andujar meets Frenchman Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga in a clash of veterans on the tour. Tsonga has won both their previous meetings but they haven’t met since the 2015 French Open.
Neither player has had the best season with both ranked just outside the top 50 in the world now. Andujar had a dismal season through the early part of the summer, with a number of early losses, before a better run on the US hard courts making the round of 16 at the US Open.
Tsonga has been attempting to make a comeback since his long layoff with injury in 2018, and despite a good run in February at the ATP 250s in France, and a decent showing at Halle before running into Roger Federer, the Frenchman has not managed to maintain a level of consistency this season.
Expect a good fight between these aging stars, but the home conditions and crowd should assist Tsonga pull through in two tight sets.
Tip: Tsonga to win in two sets: 3/1 (888Sport)
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Richard Gasquet v Marcelo Granollers Preview
In what seems to be a trend for day two of the tournament, Richard Gasquet plays Marcel Granollers in another clash of French and Spanish veterans.
Gasquet has won all three previous meetings between the two players, incidentally all at the majors, twice at Wimbledon and once at Roland Garros. The Frenchman was once ranked in the top 10 but has had injury concerns of late and is looking at making a comeback from his drop in the world rankings. A good run at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 right before the US Open was positive for Gasquet as he is ranked just outside the top 40 in the world now and will look to end the season on a confident note here on.
Spaniard Granollers has been on the tour for the last decade and a half and was ranked in the top 20 at one point in time. Having made the fourth round of the French Open on multiple occasions, the Spaniard has been plagued by injuries and loss of form in recent times and is currently ranked outside the top 100, unable to get any sort of momentum all year.
With both players looking to rekindle their seasons, Gasquet seems to already be further along than his Spanish opponent. With the French crowds, and having already had some confidence seeking wins on the US hard courts, expect this to be a straight sets win for the Frenchman.
Tip: Richard Gasquet to win in straight sets: 5/4 (888Sport)
Herbert Hurkacz v Gregoire Barrere Preview
Frenchman Gregoire Barrere and Polish Herbert Hurkacz meet for the first time in the main ATP draw in what is a clash of promising young ‘Next Gen’.
Barrere has met with success at the Challenger and ITF levels and this has been his first year winning at the majors as he made the round of 64 at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. As he looks to further his career on the circuit, having just entered the top 100 in the ATP rankings, he will be buoyed on by the French crowds.
Herbert Hurkacz who is the more accomplished, although younger upcoming star in this matchup has had a breakthrough year, progressing well at ATP tournaments, defeating players ranked in the top 10-15 and most noteworthy was his first ever ATP 250 win at Winston Salem the week before the US Open.
A clash of upcoming players earmarked to possibly be the ones to watch out for is always one to look forward to. Although Barerre will have the French crowds on his side, Hurkacz is better established already, has had a strong year, and impressed many a tennis fan. Expect the Pole to win in straight sets.
Tip: Herbert Hurkacz to win in straight sets: 5/4 (888Sport)