Felix Auger-Aliassime is preparing to compete at the ATP Hamburg Open.
Auger-Aliassime’s Clay Court Game
Felix Auger-Aliassime has the power and the athleticism to trouble anyone when he’s on song. This may not be his favourite surface, but he’s been working on his clay-court game and can dominate with big serves.
Other Matches at the ATP Hamburg Open
The clay courts at the ATP Hamburg Open promise to deliver some intriguing matchups on day three in Northern Germany. Players are building on their recent form from the European swing, with clay-court specialists and those showing improved movement and consistency looking to make runs as the French Open draws closer.
Tommy Paul comes in looking to regain the form he sustained earlier in the clay season. He showed tremendous fight by saving three championship points in the final in Houston in February, where he won his first ATP clay title. His athleticism, consistent returning, and ability to construct points have translated well to the dirt this year.
Paul faces Etcheverry, a solid clay-court player from Argentina, who has the baseline game to compete. Paul’s recent results on the surface and the edge from their only previous meeting give the American momentum. This should be a competitive battle, but Paul’s growing confidence on clay could help him control the longer rallies and win through to the next round at ATP Hamburg.
Young German Justin Engel will have support at the ATP Hamburg Open. The 18-year-old has shown remarkable promise winning a Challenger title here in Hamburg last October and earning ATP Tour wins across multiple surfaces. He brings energy and improving all-court skills to every match, but he will need to be at his very best here.
Ugo Humbert has considerably more experience at this level, and will be unlike most opponents that Engel has come up against in his fledgling career. The Frenchman has had mixed clay results but possesses a clean game with good variety and can dictate play when his serve is clicking. Engel will push hard, especially in front of his supporters, but Humbert’s maturity in tighter moments on clay could prove decisive here.
Luciano Darderi has been one of the stronger clay-court performers over the past couple of seasons, collecting multiple titles on the surface with strong baseline play and endurance. He also comes into this match in particularly good form fresh from reaching the semifinals on home turf in Rome (though he did lose that match 1-6 1-6 to Casper Ruud). Roman Andres Burruchaga has the tools to grind out points on this surface and shouldn’t be underestimated, but Darderi’s recent track record and comfort level on red clay should give him the advantage in extended exchanges. Burruchaga can make it tough if he finds his rhythm early, yet Darderi’s consistency should carry him through.
Players are building on their recent form from the European swing.