Who believes it?

On the set? Or on the ML at 12? ;)

Anyway, a big match already! Here are my reasons:

1. I just absolutely loved his level in his first two rounds, with two really complete matches.
2. the way he adapted his game against Ugo Humbert in full-on clay-courter mode was just superb
3. he has nothing to lose
4. he’s already produced a crazy match against Rune right here in R3 last year / He’s not afraid of the big fish, he knows he can beat them
5. physically, he looks pretty solid
6. he’s got the weapons to really go at Z

And above all: Z has just had an easy match against an injured Machac, and now thinks he’s on the same level as Alcaraz ;). More seriously, that can give him confidence, but he’s got a bit too much of it.

Their match in Miami this year? 7–6 7–6 for Z, but a bit misleading in the sense that Halys saved quite a few break points. The Frenchman even admitted there was still a solid gap in level between the two players. That was indeed the case, both on serve and from the baseline.

But our Quentin is brave!