We enter Day 4 at the ATP Dallas Open with four Round of 16 matches on the schedule. Three Americans will be in action, including No. 1 seed Frances Tiafoe squaring off against young compatriot Alex Michelsen. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for all the matches around the grounds of Dallas. But who do you think will advance?
ATP Dallas Day 4 Predictions
Jordan Thompson vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-Head: Thompson 4-2 Kudla
Jordan Thompson and Denis Kudla are set to square off for the fourth time in the last 2.5 years. The previous three meetings were all very entertaining, and I expect nothing more at ATP Dallas. Kudla did not have a strong 2023 season and has slipped outside the top 150. Could this be the end of the line for the 31-year-old? Thompson is a strong week away from reaching a new career high. These two always play close matches, but I can’t pick against Thompson.
Prediction: Thompson in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-Head: Mannarino 2-0 Nishioka
Adrian Mannarino had a strong Australian Open showing, making a run to the fourth round. The No. 1 Frenchman is such a tricky player to square off against when he is in good form. Yoshihito Nishioka has fallen outside the top 80 after being ranked as high as No. 24 last June. The 28-year-old typically does not fare well in lefty-on-lefty matchups, as seen by his 3-6 1-6 loss to Mannarino in Dallas two years ago. The Frenchman should roll once again.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Dominik Koepfer vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 8 seed Dominik Koepfer and Rinky Hijikata will square off in what looks to be a very intriguing Round of 16 matchup. Koepfer is creeping up on a career-high ranking as he is 7-1 in all competitions to begin 2024. While Hijikata has not been in great form, he always seems to play well on American soil. Expect a lot of Koepfer-forehand to Hijikata-backhand rallies. I give the slight edge to the German.
Prediction: Koepfer in 3
Frances Tiafoe vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-Head: first meeting
We have a blockbuster Round of 16 matchup in the cards at the ATP Dallas Open when Frances Tiafoe squares off against young compatriot Alex Michelsen. The 19-year-old shot up the rankings last summer and began his 2024 season with a run to the third round of the Australian Open. Tiafoe, on the other hand, is just 4-9 dating back to last September. He will be looking to jumpstart his season as the favorite to win the title in Dallas. Michelsen will push Tiafoe, but in the end, Big Foe has too much firepower for the young American to counter.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
