ATP Metz update - we'll have one in the final...

Friday 10th November 2023

Good morning. We got the ideal scenario we were looking for at the ATP Metz – Moselle Open yesterday…

Our man Alexander Shevchenko overcame the odds to beat fellow Russian, Karen Khachanov, in straight sets.

Followed by our two French Ones to Watch picks contesting a three-set battle. With 32-year-old Pierre-Hugues Herbert outlasting 19-year-old Luca Van Assche – aided by a massive 20 aces from Herbert’s racket.

That means – after a gruelling period of knocking on the door and near misses this autumn – we will be guaranteed an Each Way shot in the final this weekend, at a nice price. Shevchenko or Herbert…

We’ll have one in the final…

World no.63 Shevchenko was advised at 28/1 on Monday, with Unibet briefly flirting with 50/1 (let me know if you managed to get that bigger price – it certainly didn’t last long). Alexander is now 7/2 (4.5) at best to win what would be his first ATP title. This afternoon, the 22-year-old will play in his first semi final…

Herbert went off at 66/1 in general. He’s now 6/1. The experienced Frenchman will have the home crowd behind him today, as he competes in his 12th career ATP Singles semi final. It’s already been a triumphant week for the current world no.344. Having suffered a bad knee injury last summer, until this week, Pierre-Hugues hadn’t won a main-draw ATP Singles match for 20 months.

So, there we have it. Shevchenko v Herbert. An upcoming youngster playing in his first semi final, and a 30-something pro on the comeback trail. Both intriguing Ones to Watch stories in their own right. Only one man can reach the final and bag the odds for us. The bookies make Shevchenko the match favourite. Purely on price, we should be rooting for 66/1 Each Way pick Herbert…

The match is scheduled for 2.30pm UK time.

Enjoy the tennis…

P.S
Want to get in touch? Email me at: oliver.upstone@oxonpress.co.uk

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Ones to Watch