The quarterfinal matches are set at the ATP US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas. Five Americans still remain in the field, including 2013 champion John Isner. We have seen some wet and muggy conditions down in Houston that has certainly slowed down the ball, but the on-court action has not suffered. We at LWOT will be bringing you match insights and predictions for all four quarterfinal showdowns including 2nd seed Taylor Fritz vs 5th seed Cristian Garin.
ATP Houston Day 5 Predictions
Nick Kyrgios vs Michael Mmoh
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Nick Kyrgios has continued his recent fine form having won his first two clay court matches since 2019 to reach the quarterfinals in Houston. His opponnent, American Michael Mmoh, recieved a Lucky Loser draw into Round 2 after Casper Ruud pulled out of the tournament. Mmoh won his Round 2 match 6-4 6-2 over countryman Sam Querrey. It was the 24-year-old’s first main draw tour-level win on the clay. Kyrgios dispatched Tommy Paul in straight sets in his Round 2 win. The Australian is in very fine form and I see him having little trouble taking care of current World #226 Michael Mmoh.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 2
Reilly Opelka vs Gijs Brouwer
Head-to-Head: First meeting
If you think Reilly Opelka’s serving prowess can be mitigated on the clay, think again. The American hit 15 aces in his three-set, Round 2 win over countryman Mitchell Krueger. His opponent, 26-year-old Dutchman Gijs Brouwer, has won just two career tour-level matches. They both came this week in relatively ease as he defeated Feliciano Lopez and J.J. Wolf in straight sets to reach this quarterfinal. It is always nice to see a lower-ranked player finally have a breakthrough, and Brouwer is doing that here in Houston. With that being said, I see no way in which he keeps pace with the serve and quality of Opelka.
Prediction: Opelka in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs John Isner
Head-to-Head: Isner leads 2-0
Frances Tiafoe won an absolute battle over Pablo Cuevas in Round 2 to reach the quarterfinals in Houston. His 5-7 7-5 7-6 (4) win took 2 hours and 40 minutes and I am very interested to see how his body holds up with less than a 24-hour rest period. John Isner also survived a three-set, Round 2 match, though, it was not nearly as physical. Both Tiafoe and Isner prefer the hard court but are formidable players on clay. Isner won their only two meetings in tight matches back in 2016 and 2017. Not much separates these two and I expect a three-set match that will be an awesome watch for the crowd. I give the slightest advantage to Isner as I believe his serve will be the difference maker.
Prediction: Isner in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Taylor Fritz is currently playing the best tennis of his career having hoisted the trophy in Indian Wells while following that up with a Round 4 exit in Miami. The American has won 11 of his last 12 matches and looked strong during his first clay win of the season. On the other hand, Cristian Garin has limped into the clay season and is currently ranked #104 in the Race to Turin. With that being said, he is widely considered a clay court specialist and should find some form in the coming months. I believe the American will be just too strong for the Chilean. Garin has already spent 4 hours and 34 minutes on court this week. Fritz, just 62 minutes. I like the top-ranked American to find a way to pull this one out.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
