Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Halle match.
The tournament in Halle continues to produce unexpected results — most recently, Tomas Martin Etcheverry caused a stir by eliminating Andrey Rublev in a demanding three-set encounter. But can the Argentine string together another upset by overcoming the more adaptable Karen Khachanov?
Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Despite his recent highlight in Halle, the 2024 season has been underwhelming for Tomas Martin Etcheverry, with 16 wins and 19 losses so far. His ATP ranking has taken a noticeable dip, and he has found it difficult to compete against top-50 opposition, managing just 3 wins from 12 attempts this year. His game is better suited to slower surfaces — on quick grass courts, the Argentine struggles with movement, and although he possesses a strong serve, its consistency is questionable. Since the start of 2023, Etcheverry has won only 4 of his 10 matches played on grass.
Karen Khachanov
Karen Khachanov brings significantly more grass-court experience, having won 30 of his 51 career matches on the surface. He has built a solid track record in Halle, reaching three quarter-finals and one semi-final. In total, the Russian has claimed 11 victories from 16 matches played in Germany. In the previous round, he saw off Felix Auger-Aliassime, delivering four aces and registering an efficient service performance — landing 66% of his first serves and winning 69% of those points. In their only previous meeting, Khachanov comfortably defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry on hard court in Miami in 2023, covering a 4.5-game handicap.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Karen Khachanov Prediction
Grass remains a surface where Tomas Martin Etcheverry lacks consistency — his win over Andrey Rublev felt more opportunistic than the result of a sustainable game plan. That sort of performance is unlikely to hold up against Karen Khachanov, who has a proven record on grass and a history of strong showings in Halle. The Russian is unlikely to repeat his compatriot’s mistakes and is expected to come through with a margin of at least three games.
