Grass-court season begins with value in Ugo Humbert and Ben Shelton after Roland Garros epic

After witnessing arguably the greatest-ever Grand Slam final on Sunday, June 8, there is a slightly more sedate pace to the ATP Tour this week as the action moves to the grass courts with a couple of ATP 250 events. 

The Libema Open, on the outskirts of the city of 's-Hertogenbosch, is always a decent watch.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will be resting and refuelling after their titanic battle that lasted for five hours and 29 minutes at Roland Garros, but there are still some big names in action in Europe this week.

In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Bookie Basher breaks down the key contenders and value picks at both the Libema Open and the Boss Open as the grass-court season gets underway.

Medvedev and Hurkacz headline in Den Bosch 

Daniil Medvedev is the pre-tournament favourite in Den Bosch - best price 5/2 - but that looks a little on the short side when you consider he has not won an ATP title for more than two years.

He was last seen losing to Brit Cameron Norrie in the first round at the French Open and while he probably prefers the grass to the clay, he has only won one title on the surface and that was back in 2021 (Mallorca).

Hubert Hurkacz is also in the draw, and he is a player who can go well on grass due to his huge serve and ripping forehand.

Humbert worth a punt on home turf

However, the player who is going to carry our cash this week is Ugo Humbert, a talented Frenchman who has not had an easy season due to injury.

He broke his fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand earlier this year and actually had to retire injured at the French Open after Humbert went over his right ankle. 

However, I am a firm believer that the only sure thing about luck is that it will change, and if Hubert is healthy, he could take some stopping this week. 

Humbert reached a career-high ranking of World No. 13 in 2024 and also put together an eye-catching career-best Grand Slam finish, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.

His game is made for the grass. He is a confident and powerful baseliner who likes to volley, and he is also blessed with a serve that will garner him plenty of free points on faster terrain. 

His draw looks OK so if he is over the leg injury - and with Wimbledon on the horizon logically he would not be here if it wasn’t - he looks a play at 11/2.

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Zverev returns to Stuttgart but faces a tough path

Over in Germany Alexander Zverev will make his first appearance in Stuttgart since 2019 at the Boss Open.

The big German has won 24 tour-level titles but has never triumphed on grass, and his draw is not ideal with a possible date with Corentin Moutet - who is excellent on grass - first up.

With this in mind, he looks quite short in the betting, with bet365 pricing him up at 13/8. 

Matteo Berrettini was one of two Grand Slam finalists to withdraw from the BOSS Open, with Nick Kyrgios the other major finalist to withdraw from the event.

Shelton's firepower could prove decisive

Felix Auger Aliassime and Taylor Fritz are also at the head of the market, and both are players you can make a logical case to go well this week. 

Ben Shelton at 11/2 is a price that catches the eye.

He performed well at the French Open - clay is his least favourite surface - reaching the fourth round and losing out to eventual champion Alcaraz.

Shelton's fastest recorded serve is 150 mph (241.4 km/h), which demonstrates his significant power and he will be sending down plenty of bombs this week if he is in the mood.

He's also well drawn in Stuttgart, where a bang-out-of-form Jiri Lehecka is the other seed in his quarter.

They’ve never played before, but Shelton should start as a warm favourite against the Czech and all things considered 11/2 looks a fair price to land what would be a third ATP title. 

Suggested Bet #1: Ugo Humbert to win the Libema Open at 11 (Betfred)

Suggested Bet #2: Ben Shelton to win the Boss Open at 11/2 (Betfred/Paddy Power)

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