The ATP San Diego Open continues in its great setting near the bay in Barnes Tennis Center. It is the last ATP event of the year held in the U.S.A., with many Americans in the draw looking for a strong showing in front of a home crowd. The field is deep with many talented players having a real chance at capturing the title. All six matches on a busy Thursday in San Diego will be previewed at Last Word on Tennis.
ATP San Diego Day 4 Predictions
Pedro Martinez vs Daniel Galan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Galan has recently established himself as a serious player on hard courts after having almost all of his success on clay early in his career. After never winning a match at either hard court major, he pulled an incredible upset over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round of the US Open after several strong hard court results. Martinez is very talented and the #4 seed here, but has lost his last six matches on hard courts. He is excellent on clay but unlike Galan has not quite figured out hard courts yet. Galan’s talk, lanky build help him use a strong serve and baseline game to adapt and be dangerous on faster hard courts. These tools will give him all he needs to get past Martinez in this match.
Prediction: Galan in 2
Brandon Nakashima vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: 1-1
Kudla will be looking to get revenge after a 6-1 6-1 thumping by Nakashima in Delray Beach earlier this year. Both players will be looking to get out of a difficult stretch of late with neither of them winning many matches on hard courts recently. Both player have similar styles of powerful shots that make them tough to play against on faster courts. Nakashima has excelled on big stages though he is young and can drop matches that he should win. Kudla has done well at the Challenger level but has not quite had good results on the main tour. The similarities in styles with keep Kudla in it for a while, but Nakashima is too talented and will pull away late.
Prediction: Nakashima in 3
Dan Evans vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: 2-2
While they have met four times in the past, just one of those matches came since 2015 and it was three years ago. Evans has been playing solid tennis the last couple of years ever since his suspension, and has a good all-around game that make him a tough matchup on any surface. Daniel has played well in qualifying this year, though he has struggled to beat any top players. Evans has also struggled to get over the hump against Top 20 opponents but has won enough to stay highly ranked. Daniel can be dangerous with his power but has not recently been able to hit through strong opponents. Evans will be a difficult matchup with his elite defense able to stifle most of the tools Daniel will throw at him. Evans should start strong and end up winning the match with ease.
Prediction: Evans in 2
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