It’s been a fun week at the ATP Houston Challenger, and the action continues on Thursday with the round of 16! Who will rise to the occasion and who will fall? Read on to find out!
ATP Houston Challenger Day 4 Predictions
Michael Mmoh vs Bradley Klahn
Head to Head: 2-0 Klahn
Michael Mmoh won Knoxville last week and continued his momentum by edging out a tight match against Raymond Sarmiento. Mmoh seems to be a little fatigued in this tournament, but he’s pushing through and that was a good win from a set down. Bradley Klahn has a nasty lefty game and can take the racquet out of opponents’ hands. Klahn won both previous meetings. Expect Klahn to take advantage of Mmoh’s fatigue and will overpower him often enough to win this one in three sets.
Prediction: Klahn in 3
Christopher O’Connell vs Adrian Menendez-Maceiras
Head to Head: never played
Christopher O’Connell is having an amazing season and has continued his good play in Houston. O’Connell survived a tough match against Andrea Vavassori in the second round. Adrian Menendez-Maceiras easily beat Collin Altamirano in the first round. While Menendez-Maceiras is past his prime, he is so consistent from both the forehand and the backhand. However, O’Connell is not only consistent, but has a lot of power behind those strokes too. Expect O’Connell to overpower Menendez’Maceiras and win this match in straight sets.
Prediction: O’Connell in 2
Tennys Sandgren vs Michael Redlicki
Head to Head: 1-0 Sandgren
Tennys Sandgren, the top seed in the tournament, picked up a comfortable second round win over Edan Leshem in two sets. Sandgren is very good on defense, but is willing to be aggressive when given the opportunity. Michael Redlicki also had a comfortable first round win, taking down Govind Nanda in straights sets. Redlicki plays a solid lefty power game. Sandgren won their previous meeting in a tight three set match. Expect Redlicki to pick up a set, but for Sandgren to eventually wear Redlicki down. Sandgren moves on.
Prediction: Sandgren in 3
Sekou Bangoura vs Ivo Karlovic
Head to Head: never played
Sekou Bangoura did very well to recover from an 0-6 first set against Peter Heller and come back to win the match. He showed great patience in that match and took his opportunities when given the chance. While not in his prime anymore, Ivo Karlovic still has a huge serve and is a tricky opponent to play. The sets will be close and there won’t be a lot of opportunities on return. While I expect Bangoura to get enough returns in play to take a set, expect Karlovic to win a tight three-setter to advance to the quarterfinals in Houston.
Prediction: Karlovic in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
