Day 1 at the ATP event in Houston will feature four first round matches, including the debut of two-time champion Steve Johnson and five other Americans, who dominate the draw of this tournament.
ATP Houston Day 1 Predictions
Jeffrey John Wolf vs Jenson Brooksby
Head-to-head: first meeting
Wolf had a very positive Sunshine Double, with very creditable performances even in defeat against much higher ranked players in Roberto Bautista Agut and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Brooksby also had excellent campaigns, losing in round of 16 of both events, to then defending Indian Wells champions Cameron Norrie and to world #2 Daniil Medvedev in Miami. Both players are in very good form and surely feeling confident, but Brooksby just seems to be a level above and should be able to prevail here.
Prediciton: Brooksby in 2
Steve Johnson vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: Johnson 5-2 Kudla
This would normally be a very tight matchup, with Kudla even being probably the better player currently, but Houston has been a very happy hunting ground for Johnson. It’s where he’s won two of his four career titles. Meanwhile, Kudla is more of a grass/fast surface specialist, his game is not suited for clay at all. Considering that, Johnson should prevail here and maybe dream of another title at this tournament.
Prediction: Johnson in 2
Gijs Brouwer vs Feliciano Lopez
Head-to-head: first meeting
At the age of 26, Brouwer is playing his first ever ATP level match after coming through the qualifying and he’ll certainly be ecstatic about it. A 40-year-old Lopez on clay is far from an unbeatable opponent, too. Brouwer certainly has at least a puncher’s chance here, though Lopez goes in as a clear favorite.
Prediction: Lopez in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Giron 1-0 Tiafoe
Giron had a promising start to the season, but failed to win a single match in the Sunshine Double. Meanwhile Tiafoe looked to have a great draw in Miami, but fell to Francisco Cerundolo in disappointing fashion, failing to take advantage of that opening. Both Americans will be very disappointed with their recent performances and looking to turn things around in a surface they’re far from their most comfortable on. It’s hard to call which way this will go, but Tiafoe is the more seasoned player of the two and has had decent results on clay before so he goes in as a slight favorite.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
