Hubert is back

Hurkacz ended his losing streak against Darderi, so maybe...

Great performance from Hurkacz, who we've finally found again after a terrible streak! He just changed coach and is back in Monte Carlo where he often plays well, he confirms it by beating Darderi, okay, we get it, we need to take you seriously! What I especially saw again was a great quality of serving, that’s what had sunk him in his recent losses and I like clay for him, he’s actually a bit of a grinder with that forehand that really jumps off the court, so it’s no surprise he’s performing well here! Obviously we want to see more, but this first round was promising and I’ll be wary of him…

Marozsan rolled over Dzumhur on his side, a quick win with a perfect level of play from start to finish, but how can you not think the guy across the net was just too weak? Dzumhur doesn’t get any free points on serve and doesn’t know how to attack, he can defend and put up a wall but it was just too easy for Marozsan, who was dictating play and excels in that area. Tomorrow’s match will be completely different: Hurkacz will get free points on serve, he can really lean on his shot or come forward to finish at the net, and he’s well liked by the crowd here. The match-up is less straightforward for Marozsan, who I personally find pretty average these past few weeks, and it’s not a win over Dzumhur that’s going to change my mind.

1–0 for Hurkacz on hard courts; on clay you might think Marozsan has a slight edge, but Hurkacz is no mug on this surface.