The European indoor hard court swing starts on Monday in Stockholm, where seeds Alexei Popyrin and Tallon Greek Spoor are in action. Popyrin takes on Sebastian Korda, while Greek Spoor kicks off his week against Jake Fearnley.
(7) Alexei Popyrin vs. Sebastian Korda
Popyrin and Korda will face each other for the fourth time in their careers when they meet in the first round of the Nordic Open on Monday. Korda leads the head-to-head series 2-1, including 2-0 indoors. The 60th-ranked American won 6-4, 6-4 at the 2020 Eckental Challenger and 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-4 at the 2023 Astana event before Popyrin finished the job 7-6(0), 6-3 at the 2024 Montreal Masters.
After beating Korda, Popyrin shockingly captured his first Masters 1000 title, albeit a shock factor that was obviously surpassed by Valentin Vacherot on Sunday in Shanghai. The 48th-ranked Aussie hasn’t been spectacular since, as he enters Stockholm with a 17-19 record for the season. Popyrin hasn’t played since the US Open. Korda, on the other hand, made three stops on the Asian swing and compiled a 3-3 record for his crafting efforts. Given Popyrin’s rust and Korda’s success in this indoor match, a small upset could be in the cards.
Choice: Korda in 3
(5) Tallon Greek Spoor vs. Jake Fearnley
Greekpoor and Fearnley will face each other for the second time on Monday. Their only previous meeting came in the second round of the same tournament 12 months ago, when Greek Spoor scored a 7-6(0), 6-3 win.
There is no reason to believe anything will be different during the rematch. Fearnley has won just one main tour match since Eastbourne in June and is coming off a Challenger second round defeat to world number 247 Dominic Stricker. Greekpoor played well in Shanghai, advancing over both Jenson Brooksby and Jannik Sinner (via retirement) in three sets before falling 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 to Vacherot. Suddenly that most recent result doesn’t look so bad. Expect the 31st-seeded Dutchman to give Fearnley another lesson in Stockholm.
Pick: Greek track in 2
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