It is the final day at ATP Hamburg, as the final preparations before the French Open, which is set to start on Sunday, are drawing to a close. We have the No. 6 seed, Tommy Paul, taking on one of the stories of the season so far in Peruvian Ignacio Buse. As always, we here at LWOT will give our analysis and prediction for the match, but who do you think will capture all 500 ranking points and invaluable momentum heading into the French Open?
ATP Hamburg Final Prediction
Tommy Paul vs Ignacio Buse
Head-to-head: First meeting
Historically his worst surface, Tommy Paul will breathe a sigh of relief after making the final in Hamburg, as otherwise his clay season, following his title run in Houston, had not gone entirely to plan. This week has been a return to basics and form for him, as the American has employed more of his relentless baseline style that has seen him beat very capable players en route to the final here.
Ignacio Buse, on the other hand, while having been knocking on the door for a breakout run with victories against players like Joao Fonseca and Matteo Berrettini this year, has made history here in Hamburg by becoming the first Peruvian tennis player to make the final of an ATP Tour event.
As such, this is a final between two players who have both found the type of rhythm and form on clay they were looking for entering the French Open. While Paul is the favourite heading into the final due to his experience and ranking on tour, Buse will definitely look to ride the wave of momentum he is currently on, as he is a player who is very confident on clay.
The ATP Hamburg final will likely come down to the baseline duel, as Paul will look to make the rallies longer, while Buse will rely on his heavy topspin to pull the American off the court. In this case, it will be curious to see how much each player exerts, given the French Open coming up so closely after this event. Fatigue might also be a factor, especially for Buse, who this week has already played six matches after coming all the way through qualifying.
As such, despite Buse being the more natural clay-court player and carrying more momentum into the final, I think Paul might have just enough to stop him from winning his debut ATP Tour title and, in return, capture his second title on clay this season.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
