Ugo Humbert (Fra) vs. David Goffin (Bel) – Result prediction (17.10.2019)

Preview and players comparison.

David Goffin is seeded #2 and given a first-round bye as he makes his third appearance in ATP Antwerp this week, first since 2017. The Belgian #1 could not compete in his home event last year as he was forced to wrap up his season after ATP Shenzhen. World #14 David Goffin received a bye in the first round of ATP Antwerp during his previous two appearances as well, and he managed to reach at least the quarterfinal on both occasions — semifinalist in 2016 and quarterfinalist in 2017.

David Goffin reached the semifinal on the indoor hardcourt of ATP Marseille earlier this season, but he failed to win a match in the other three indoor hardcourt tournaments that he entered in these ten months — recently lost to Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round of APT Metz (R1 bye). Former world #7 David Goffin endured a tough time on tour earlier this season and even dropped as low as #33 in the ATP World Rankings. However, the Belgian seems to have got back to his best level as he has performed consistently well in the second half of 2019 — runner-up in Cincinnati Masters, a semifinalist in Tokyo, and a quarterfinalist in Wimbledon.

Ugo Humbert defeated Jozef Kovalik in straight sets to reach the second round of ATP Antwerp on his debut appearance, 6-4 7-5. This time last year, the French youngster competed on the indoor hardcourt of Ismaning challenger and made his way to the semifinal — defeated the home player Christian Seraphim in the second round. The 21-year-old Frenchman bagged an impressive 32 wins on indoor hardcourt (from the possible 45) during his breakthrough season in 2018, which earned him two ITF and two Challenger titles.

Ugo Humbert has done reasonably well on indoor hardcourts in 2019 as well, having won the title in Cherbourg Challenger and made to the semifinal in ATP Marseille — career-best result on the main tour — where he upset Borna Coric in the round of 16. Ugo Humbert’s best tennis is capable of testing David Goffin in these conditions, but the home-crowd favorite should be able to negotiate the win.

Match Info.

Competition: ATP – SINGLES: Antwerp (Belgium), hard (indoor) – 1/8-finals.
Start: 17.10.2019, 18:00 UTC.