ATP Masters in Shanghai, quarterfinals, Friday, 10/13/2023
Andrey Rublev is the best remaining player in Shanghai, at least if we apply the world ranking! The Masters in the Asian metropolis may be held for the first time after a four-year break, is now looking for its semifinalists.
On Friday morning, a Frenchman will challenge the world number 7, exactly what he did successfully in Beijing! In my Humbert Rublev tip I will now reveal why there is a clear favorite at Bet3000, but I think that at least one set will go to the supposed underdog!
.. and because it was so nice, there will be a third duel in 2023! On Friday Andrey Rublev and Ugo Humbert will meet, both are eager to reach the semi-finals in Shanghai.
It was only a few days ago that the two faced each other in the round of 16 in Beijing, so I will start my analysis with the interesting direct comparison. Although favored, the Russian had to admit defeat here.
Humbert triumphed at 5-7, 6-3, 7-6, but a little later he was unlucky to lose in three sets to Daniil Medvedev. In Indian Wells a few months ago, Rublev had won in a direct duel, his 7-5, 6-3 equaling an outright victory.
The fact that I can see a 2:2 overall clearly shows how close it is between the two players. On the other hand, things look a bit different at our betting providers, where the odds tend to follow Rublev with an average of 1.40 to 3.00.
Is the world number 7 convincing so far in Sanghai? Rublev got off to a good start with a very commanding 6-4, 7-5 win over Quentin Halys and followed that up with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Adrian Mannarino a little later.
The Masters had come up with the toughest test for the round of 16, as they ended up winning 7-5, 7-5 against Tommy Paul. He allowed a single break during the tournament, not a value to be disregarded.
In addition, he won an average of well over 90% of his first serve points, so the 25-year-old can serve wonderfully well.
On the other side, however, an opponent is waiting who will certainly not only step onto the court to congratulate him. Ugo Humbert is currently knocking on the door of the world’s top 30 and is likely to open the door soon.
In Shanghai he had to push his limits twice, but also had to defeat really tough opponents in the first two rounds. He kicked things off with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 win over Botic van de Zandschulp.
Humbert definitely saved his masterpiece for the 2nd round, as here he faced a certain Stefanos Tsitsipas. 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, it was the underdog who was surprisingly allowed to cheer!
The match had cost him a lot of energy, but in the match against J.J. Wolf he could save even more. The Frenchman won 6-1, 6-2 and didn’t really have to work too hard.
Humbert didn’t give a single break chance, collected over 91% won points in the first service and just as many in the second. From match to match he improved in these statistics, which should not have escaped Rublev.
My Humbert Rublev Tip
Andrey Rublev will know: I may be ranked a few points ahead of Ugo Humbert in the world rankings, but beware of this rival! He has already lost to him twice, the most recent defeat was not even two weeks ago.
What does that mean for the upcoming direct duel? Quite simply: that I can’t imagine the Russian coming through smoothly here! Humbert is eager for the semifinals and has been able to save important energy recently.
Since Rublev doesn’t always serve consistently and is in the quarterfinals of Shanghai for the first time anyway, I decided to recommend the following bet:
Humbert takes a set against Rublev!
