2021 Australian Open Second Round – Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert on and what time does it start? Wednesday 10th February, 2021 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Nick Kyrgios vs Ugo Humbert in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
NICK KYRGIOS
- Melbourne Park’s favourite son Nick Kyrgios was able to win his first Grand Slam match for over a year in straight sets against Portugal’s Frederico Ferreira Silva, converting five of a total 17 break points.
- 17 break point opportunities made puts the 25-year-old in good stead for the rest of the tournament if he can slowly build up his match confidence, with 14 aces to complement some strong serving stats too.
UGO HUMBERT
- 22-year-old Ugo Humbert was pegged back a set via tiebreak at 2-0 against Yasutaka Uchiyama in the first round of the Australian Open but he held his serve throughout in a strong four-set performance.
- 29th-seed Humbert will face Nick Kyrgios for the second time in just under a year after the Australian was forced to retire from their first round match at last February’s Los Cabos Open.
THE PREDICTION
This should be one of the most exciting matches of the second round between Nick Kyrgios and Ugo Humbert, with a little bit of history between the two. Kyrgios was forced to retire through injury in their only previous meeting at the Mexico Open to the displeasure of the crowd there but he is adored in Melbourne and will be backed all the way by the vast majority of the Melbourne Arena. Ugo Humbert won the European Open last Autumn in a surge of brilliance and the 22-year-old looks destined to become a top 20 player in the near future. He has yet to show that peak form this season but he has the mentality for a big match like this and will enjoy the occasion. The result truly could go either way here, with Kyrgios playing down his chances at a deep run in Melbourne after so long off the tour and Humbert having to stay calm as the villain of the piece. Both players can take a set and this looks like it could go to five with the likelihood Kyrgios will throw a set completely if he is challenged throughout. On form, Ugo Humbert can weather several storms here to reach the third round but it would not be a surprise to see Kyrgios rage his way through under the lights of a raucous late-night classic. The best option in the markets is both players to take a set here and at least one tiebreak in the match. Pick a winner at your peril.
