Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Halle match.
The ATP tournament in Halle continues to deliver plenty of intrigue, and a new contender has emerged for the title — Alexander Bublik. With reigning champion Jannik Sinner already eliminated, the draw has opened up for Alexander Bublik to target a second career title at this venue. His next opponent is Tomas Machac, whose performances this season have been far from consistent.
Alexander Bublik
Alexander Bublik is enjoying a rich vein of form. He delivered a strong clay-court campaign, finishing with a 15-6 win-loss record, and has already caused a major upset in Halle by knocking out Jannik Sinner. Grass courts complement his game, showcasing Bublik’s powerful serve and inventive shot selection — particularly his use of drop shots. Since 2023, Bublik has won eight of nine matches in Halle and holds an impressive 15-4 record on grass overall.
Tomas Machac
Tomas Machac’s standout result this season came in Acapulco, where he claimed an ATP 500 title. However, his form since then has been erratic — Miami remains the only tournament where Machac has managed to win more than one match. On grass, the Czech has struggled significantly, losing all three of his encounters against top-50 opponents. In Halle, he has overcome Jesper de Jong and Fabian Marozsan, but neither opponent is considered among the elite. Last year, Alexander Bublik also defeated Machac in Dubai (6:2, 3:6, 7:6).
Alexander Bublik vs Tomas Machac Prediction
Alexander Bublik looks to have put his mental inconsistencies behind him and is now producing tennis of the highest calibre. He has already delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, and Tomas Machac is unlikely to be the one to derail Bublik’s momentum.
