This week marks the start of the ATP clay season, with Houston as always featuring a lot of American players in the draw on unusually fast clay courts. Despite the absence of top ranked players, it should be a very exciting and highly unpredictable tournament.
ATP Houston Day 1 Predictions
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have very similar level and rankings and they’ve never faced each other before, so this is of course a very difficult match to call. Neither player has been in good form so far in 2023, but in these specific condition Galan might just have the slight edge here.
Prediction: Galan in 3
Aleksandar Vukic vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ranking-wise this is an evenly matched contest, but Kudla has been struggling a lot lately, his best days seem well behind him, while Vukic has been stringing some good results as of late, including two very good wins in qualifying here in Houston to make the main draw. He should have the edge here.
Prediction: Vukic in 2
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Gijs Brouwer
Head-to-head: Brouwer 1-0 Kovacevic
Another rare ATP level matchup between two players ranked outside the Top 100, a huge chance for both to get a win at this level. Just like their previous matchup, it should be extremely close, with the American perhaps having a slight advantage this time around given the surface and his home advantage.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Steve Johnson vs Facundo Bagnis
Head-to-head: first meeting
Prediction: Johnson in 3
Fernando Verdasco vs Jason Kubler
Head-to-head: first meeting
In his prime, Verdasco would be an obvious favorite here, but those days are long gone and he’s now just desperately hanging on, trying to stay on tour. Kubler is currently the better player and on these fast clay conditions he should win with relative ease unless Verdasco somehow finds his old magic back for a day.
Prediction: Kubler in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
