Nicolas Jarry and Holger Rune's first-round battle at the Swiss Indoors could be one of the matches of the round.
While world No. 14 Rune is favoured to advance, the experienced Chilean, a three-time Tour-level champion, has the potential to cause an upset.
Match preview
© Imago
Jarry has had most of his joy on clay courts, underscored by notching all three ATP Tour titles on the surface, but the 29-year-old cannot be underestimated on hard courts.
That much was evident in a recent battle with Jannik Sinner in Beijing, where the surface's best performer in 2024 needed to fight back against the three-time Tour-level champion to advance at the China Open.
Although the world No. 34 has since notched just one win in three, falling to Wu Yibing at the Shanghai Masters in straight sets and recently losing in three against Miomir Kecmanovic in Stockholm, his 9-12 2024 win-loss record on hard courts, while not being the best, highlights his competence and ability to upset Rune.
This year's run to the Miami Masters quarter-final further emphasises the Chilean's adeptness when it all comes together, and the 29-year-old hopes to play peak tennis against the No. 4 seed.
Rune's season has yet to produce a title heading into the final stretch, with the Dane in danger of missing out on a title in 2024 after three triumphs in 2022 and last year's victory in Munich.
The 2022 Swiss Indoors runner-up aims for a first title this season at the tournament, keen to record a fifth Tour-level triumph in his embryonic career.
The 21-year-old has recovered from a shock US Open first-round loss to American Brandon Nakashima and a false start on the Asian swing in Hangzhou to reach the semis in Tokyo and last 16 in Shanghai.
With his sights set on a first tournament victory this week, the fourth seed aims for another deep run in Basel but must first overcome the challenge of an older opponent eight years his senior.
Head To Head
With no prior encounters between them, Tuesday's match between Jarry and Rune is a clash of unknowns.
However, the Dane's 38-21 win-loss record this year, compared to the 29-year-old's 18-22, suggests he has the edge.
We say: Rune to win in two sets
Although Rune is still seeking his first title of 2024, a tournament-opening defeat by Jarry is not expected, with the young Dane backed to clinch success in straight sets on his return to Basel.
