We take a look at the Australian Open second-round matches between Ugo Humbert and Nick Kyrgios as well as Bernard Tomic against Denis Shapovalov.
Photo Copyright - Steve Haag Sports
Australian Open 2021
10 February
Melbourne Park
Selected Second Round Matches
Ugo Humbert (29) (93/100) vs Nick Kyrgios (84/100)
This should prove a real challenge for Ugo Humbert, one of the most talented young players to have emerged over the past year. The 22-year-old Frenchman really came from relative obscurity to have an extremely solid 2020. The hyper-offensive player is by no means one-dimensional, with the ability to attack the net with sound volleying skills: these skills helped him to a 4TH round finish at Wimbledon 2019. Humbert claimed two titles on hardcourts in 2020. Significantly, one of these titles came in Australasia, where he beat both Isner and Shapovalov en route to the Auckland title. He would also go on to reach a semi-final in the Delray Beach Classic. He then returned after the lockdown break and captured his 2nd title in Antwerp. He beat both Danil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2020, underlining his status as a force to be reckoned with. He lost- inexplicably- to James Duckworth last week. But he seems to have found his footing in Melbourne following his first-round victory. Now how will he handle the challenge of facing everyone’s favourite public health warrior: Nick Kyrgios.
That last comment was somewhat in jest. Regardless of how one feels about the idiocy of Djokovic and co last year, it’s still stunning to me that de facto tennis bad-boy Nick Kyrgios became the arbiter of right and wrong during the pandemic. It just didn’t sit well with me. One wonders whether his decision to forego the 2nd half of the season was more connected to his general apathy towards the game. Nevertheless, Kyrgios is sure to enjoy massive support going into this match. The 2015 Aussie Open quarterfinalist needs to finally put up or shut up. He is seriously too talented to never reach a Grand Slam semi-final. His victories in 2019 at Acapluco and Washington highlight his massive potential. But what about the tanking? The abuse? The ongoing feud with Novak Djokovic? While he is embroiled in all these issues, players such as Medvedev are just sauntering past him. Prior to last week’s precursor event, Kyrgios hadn’t played sine February last year. Here’s to hoping that the time off may lend him some perspective.
These two have met once before, with Humbert emerging victorious at last season’s Mexican Open. Kyrgios actually retired from that event with a wrist injury. Kyrgios looked all business in his opening round straight sets victory. Perhaps this is the year where he is able to put aside his more immature tendencies and just focus on the tennis. Kyrgios to win.
Bernard Tomic (6/1) vs Denis Shapovalov (11) (1/11)
From the young pretender to the OG. Long before Nick Kyrgios was exchanging in expletive-laden courtside tirades, Bernard Tomic was a master in it. The original bad-boy of Aussie tennis, Tomic has really had to go back to the drawing board after a litany of setbacks. And that goes for his whole entourage. His father John was suspended by the ATP for allegedly headbutting his son’s practice partner in 2013. Just this week, his girlfriend Vanessa Sierra has caused an online stir with her complaints about hotel quarantine. But the former world number 17 started to play some good tennis against Sugita in the first round. He would ultimately go on to win his first Aussie Open match since 2017. Ironically, Sugita retired (Tomic has been accused on multiple occasions of faking injuries to get out of matches). Tomic is really a maverick. His last title- the 2018 Chengdu Open- saw him enter through qualifying. He would go on to beat top seed Fabio Fognini in the title. So which Tomic will show up for this 2nd round match?
In Denis Shapovalov you have a player on the opposite end of the motivation spectrum to Tomic. The Canadian has worked tirelessly to establish himself in the world’s top 20. After he shocked the world (and Rafa Nadal) at the 2017 Rogers Cup, he could have easily just turned into a fun pub question. But he has gone from strength to strength, continuing to progress at the top level. 2019 saw him reach the Paris Masters final. He then reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at last year’s US Open. He also reached the semi-finals in St Petersburg and Rome last season. Despite all that, 2020 ended quite terribly for Shapovalov. In fact, his first-round marathon victory over Sinner was his first win in six matches. And how much will that epic encounter have taking out of the gangly Canadian? Could this be a chance for Tomic to surprise the world?
This will be the first time these two will have met in singles. Clearly Shapovalov is the overwhelming favourite. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the mercurial Tomic isn’t able to pick up a stray set in this match. Shapovalov will still be feeling the effects of that gruelling Sinner match. Tomic will also have significant home support. Shapovalov to win in four.
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