Day 2 in Houston, Texas, features a stacked lineup. And there will be no shortage of entertainment and drama especially when former champion Jack Sock takes center stage. Who will book their spots in the second round?
ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions
Yosuke Watanuki vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: first meeting
Yosuke Watanuki oozes potential and we will see a lot of the Japanese on the main tour this season now that a Top 100 breakthrough is in sight. But surface preference will count against him in this one. Yannick Hanfmann is a menace on the clay even though the playing conditions in Houston favor the aggressive hard-court players. With that said, this one should be on Hanfmann’s racket provided the German doesn’t make a melee out of it.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Cristian Garin vs Hugo Dellien
Head-to-head: Garin 2-1 Dellien
Cristian Garin is 8-1 at Houston, winning the title back in 2019. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to defend his title due to the pandemic hiatus in 2020. He returned last year and lost in a marathon against John Isner in the semifinal. Garin played out of his skin at the two March Masters, tallying wins over Yoshihito Nishioka and Casper Ruud and even taking a set from Stefanos Tsitsipas in Miami. Playing Dellien on clay is no mean task, but the conditions in Houston are slightly quicker which only harms the Bolivian.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Jack Sock vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: first meeting.
Jack Sock is one of the most successful players in the tournament’s history. But the former champion has landed perhaps the toughest qualifier possible. Tomas Machac was imperious in qualifying at the weekend. The 22-year-old should keep his breath hot on the neck of the American in baseline duels. This should be a comfortable day at the office for the Czech.
Prediction: Machac in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports