Second round action at the 2019 ATP Metz Open continues on Thursday, September 19 and here are some of the top matches to be played today. Latest David Goffin v Pablo Carreno Busta & Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga v Pierre-Hugues Herbert tips and predictions with their previews along with others can be found below.
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David Goffin v Pablo Carreno Busta Preview
Top seed David Goffin plays Pablo Carreno Busta in a repeat of their recent third-round encounter at the US Open.
Goffin has been on a comeback trail after an injury filled 2018 that saw him fall out of the top 20 in the ATP rankings. He has had some good runs this summer, being a finalist at the ATP 1000 in Cincinnati and the ATP 500 at Halle. In good form of late, and back in the top 15, the Belgian will be hoping for a good end to the season on the indoor and hard courts.
Pablo Carreno Busta has fallen in the rankings with injuries and poor form, after being in the top 10 after the 2017 US Open. Similar to Goffin, he is attempting a comeback this season, but is still ranked outside of the top 50.
The two players had a tight match couple weeks ago at Flushing Meadows, with Goffin prevailing in three close sets. Expect another tussle, but the Belgian has been in better form and should win a tight match in three sets.
Tip: Goffin to win in three sets: 3/1 (888Sport)
Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga v Pierre-Hugues Herbert Preview
Veteran Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays doubles specialist Pierre-Hugues Herbert in a clash of Frenchmen. Tsonga has won all three encounters, with the most recent being at the Montpelier final indoors earlier this year.
Tsonga has been looking to make a comeback this year from an injury lay-off and has been a start-stop season for him. He will be looking to end the season well, but given a labored effort in his three set win against veteran Pablo Andujar in the opener here, it remains to be seen what form he is in and how consistent he can be.
Herbert completed the doubles career slam earlier this year at the Australian Open. He has been focusing on his singles game since and his season has intermittently met with success. He looked sharp in his opening round win against Jan-Lennard Struff.
A good match on the cards, which should be much closer than the previous matches between these two players. It will go down to who plays the big points better, and Herbert may just edge the veteran out in a tight match that goes the distance.
Tip: Herbert to win in three sets: 3/1 (888Sport)
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Lucas Pouille v Lorenzo Sonego Preview
Newly married Frenchman Lucas Pouille plays young Italian Lorenzo Sonego at St.Petersburg in a first meeting between the players.
Pouille was ranked in the top ten of the ATP rankings early last year, and has been attempting to get back to consistency and good form, after a not so promising end to the last season. 2019 was off to a confident start for him, with a semi-final showing at the Australian Open, but has not managed to maintain a level of consistency since throughout the season.
Sonego is in his second year on the tour, emerging from successful wins at the ATP Challengers and ITF Futures tournaments. While he has not done much of note, he was a surprise winner at the ATP 250 title on the grass at Anatalya, right before Wimbledon.
Being at home and being more experienced, Pouille starts as a strong favorite here and should have a comfortable straight sets win.
Tip: Pouille to win in straight sets: 5/4 (888Sport)
Nikoloz Basilashvili v Yannick Maden Preview
Second seed Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili plays German qualifier Yannick Maden in the second round at St.Petersburg. This is the first meeting between both players.
Basilashvili has had a good last 12 months winning ATP titles at both Beijing (2018), and Hamburg (2019). He has also remained within the top 20 of the ATP rankings for a good portion of the year. However, he has not quite lived up to his promise at all times, and he will be hoping for a more consistent rest of the season aiming at winning another title if possible and moving up further in the rankings.
Yannick Maden is ranked outside the top 100 and played through qualifiers to make the main draw. He won a tight first round three-set match against rising French ‘Next Gen’ star Ugo Humbert.
Expect Basilashvili to win this match comfortably in straight sets.
Tip: Basilashvili to win in straight sets: 5/4 (888Sport)