The second round in Stockholm ends with an intriguing battle between Ugo Humbert and Matteo Berrettini. Miomir Kecmanovic and Tomas Martin Etcheverry also bid for a place in the quarter-finals.
(4) Ugo Humbert vs. Matteo Berrettini
Humbert and Berrettini will face each other for the fifth time in their careers when they compete in the second round of the Nordic Open on Thursday. Berrettini leads the head-to-head series 3-0 on the main tour, although Humbert at least managed to win a 2017 Challenger match. The Italian has won twice at the US Open (2020, 2023) and once at the 2022 ATP Cup, all in straight sets.
The 2025 campaign was a struggle for both boys, largely due to physical issues. Humbert is just 19-18 this season and a very disappointing 4-8 in his last twelve games. Berrettini hasn’t done anything since reaching the Miami quarter-finals in March, but the 29-year-old at least has the advantage of having already won a match in Stockholm. He defeated Giulio Zeppieri 6-4, 6-2 on Tuesday, while Humbert received a first-round bye as the No. 4 seed. Berrettini should be able to continue his dominance in this particular match.
Choice: Berrettini in 2
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Kecmanovic needs some success in the worst way. Heading into this week, the 49th-ranked Serbian had not beaten anyone other than world number 479 Ergi Kirkin (in the Davis Cup against Turkey) since mid-August. He was 4-8 in his last 12 matches dating back to Wimbledon. Somewhat surprisingly, Kecmanovic defeated Alexandre Müller 6-4, 6-1 on Monday.
Next up for the 26-year-old is a proverbial rubber match against Etcheverry as the head-to-head series currently stands at 1-1. Kecmanovic rode 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 at the 2022 French Open before Etcheverry got the job done 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 on the indoor hard courts of Paris in 2023. As the latest result suggests, Etcheverry is not the typical Argentine clay player. He’s a great all-court player. The world number 63 played very well in a three-set victory over qualifier Mark Lajal on Tuesday and should build on that momentum at the expense of a struggling Kecmanovic.
Choice: Etcheverry in 3
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