Barcelona Open 2024: Dušan Lajović vs Ugo Humbert; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction

The Barcelona Open continues to impress with its clashes, and we have another one ready to grace our screens. The in-form Ugo Humbert will play against Dušan Lajović in the round of 32. Humbert has shown amazing tennis this season winning the Open 13 and the Dubai Tennis Championships. He is also coming off of a deep run in the Monte Carlo Masters, which gives him a great chance in Barcelona.

Lajović, on the other hand, has failed to produce attractive tennis. The player has not managed to win more than two matches in any tournament in 2024 and faces a scare against Humbert.

Dušan Lajović vs Ugo Humbert: Preview

Before Barcelona, Lajović failed to qualify for the Monte-Carlo Masters. He managed to enter the main draw in Barcelona, where he began the campaign by beating Diego Schwartzman in the round of 64, 6-1, 6-2. Lajović hit 1 ace and 1 double fault, coupled with an impressive 74% win on the first serve and 71% on the second serve. He also won 4 break points while giving away none to Schwartzman, even though he had the chance four times. He is serving well and performing well under pressure, which can be two weapons against Humbert.

The Frenchman played in the Monte Carlo Masters, where he ended up losing to eventual finalist Casper Ruud after three great wins. Despite the loss, Humbert still pushed Ruud to three sets. He won 56% on the first serve and 59% on the second serve, which does not put him in a good light. But his overall performance in the tournament showed that he is adapting to the dirt.  

Lajović vs Humbert: Head-to-Head

Lajović and Humbert have not competed on the main draw of the ATP Tour. They have played against each other in the second-round qualifier of the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters. Humbert was the victor last year after a three-set clash which ended 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. With their only bout taking place on clay, Humbert does have an advantage over Lajović. However, it has been too long for it to be significant.

Prediction: Humbert to attain victory against Lajović 

Although recent statistics do not favor Humbert, he is playing far better than Lajović. He managed to reach the quarterfinal in Monte Carlo, which is his best result in any clay tournament so far. The Frenchman has found good momentum and continues to beat players who stand against him. Lajović will be one of the victims on his way to an even better position on the ATP ladder.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Lajović can take advantage of Humbert’s serve to at least give him a good contest. But if Humbert manages to show the same type of tennis he did in Monte-Carlo, Lajović will be sent home, but it will be a good contest, and the Serb can take a set off the 25-year-old.