Day three at the Washington Open will see the second round conclude as the remainder of the seeds join the fray. Their number includes top seed and world #6 Stefanos Tsitsipas and two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson, seeded fourth. But who will book their place in the third round in D.C.?
Washington Open Day Three Predictions
John Isner vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-head: first meeting
The big-serving American #1 John Isner looks to be set for a tough test up against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland. Isner has had a season badly disrupted by injury, although he did impress in storming to the title at the Newport Open earlier this month. But his second-round loss in Atlanta to Reilly Opelka, the third time he has fallen to his compatriot this season, will surely have been a real disappointment for the world #15. One he will be eager to put right at the Washington Open.
However, he may need to be at his very best up against the fast rising Hurkacz. The Pole has put together an extremely impressive year and looks to be at his best on hard courts. He certainly looked sharp in dismantling Donald Young 6-1 6-4. He covers the court well for a big man but can also summon plenty of power. Isner may be able to out serve him, but he doesn’t hold many other advantages heading into this clash. Expect another statement win for Hurkacz.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 3
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Benoit Paire vs Marc Polmans
Head-to-head: first meeting
There has never been any doubt about Benoit Paire’s ability, it is his focus that has been lacking at times. But the Frenchman has been engaged this season and the results have followed. He reached the fourth round at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon and has already won two titles. He will now surely be hoping to kick on during the North American summer hard-court swing and a good run at the Washington Open would be the perfect springboard for him to do just that.
Marc Polmans also possesses plenty of talent. The hard-hitting Australian had struggled to make an impact at tour-level, but he put those struggles behind him decisively by hammering the veteran Malek Jaziri in straight-sets in the first round in Washington. However, Paire will mark a real step up in quality for the 22-year-old Polmans. The Frenchman has the power to hit through Polmans and the guile to keep him guessing.
Prediction: Paire in 2
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David Goffin vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-head: Goffin 1-0 Nishioka
Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka looked very good in dismissing Dan Evans of Great Britain for the loss of just five games. But the seventh seed David Goffin, who had endured a torrid 18 months, has looked back to his best recently, a run of form highlighted by a quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon (lost to Djokovic). The Belgian is one of the best ball-strikers in the sport and can hurt opponents off both sides. His serve can be something of a weakness, but he typically defends it well and it is ultimately hard to see where Nishioka will be able to hurt him.
Prediction: Goffin in 2
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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: first meeting
In the context of what has been an excellent season, the past two months have been disappointing for Greece’s Tsitsipas. The world #6 lost narrowly to Stan Wawrinka in one of the matches of the year in the fourth round at the French Open and that loss looked to have disrupted his grass-court season, during which he lost early at Queen’s and Wimbledon. But back in North America, where he made his name last season with thrilling runs in Washington and Toronto, he will surely be hoping to make an impact once again.
But Tommy Paul will be hoping to have a say in that. The American has played well in Washington in the past, reaching the quarterfinals in 2017 where he held match points against Kei Nishikori, and recaptured that spirit to crush his countryman Denis Kudla in the first round. He spreads the court very well and has a more than useful first serve. Tsitsipas, if he is focused, is unquestionably the better player and should have enough to advance, but don’t expect it to be entirely straightforward.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
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