On Monday, Rinky Hijikata and Jordan Thompson delivered a strong win in the doubles event at the ATP 250 in Houston (over Robert Cash and JJ Tracy); now they’re going to be among the headliners of the singles schedule. Hijikata takes on Christopher Eubanks in a rematch of an opening round from last year, while Thompson faces in-form Ethan Quinn. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions
Yannick Hanfmann vs Nicolas Moreno de Alboran
Head-to-head: Hanfmann 1-0
Nicolas Moreno de Alboran is probably the unluckiest player of the season thus far. The American was so close to a Top 100 debut at the beginning of the year, getting injured during his training block and not playing a singles match since. This might mean that his window has closed and it’s unclear whether he’s in top physical shape again. The potential rust gives the edge to Yannick Hanfmann, who also reached the Houston semifinals back in 2023.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 2
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: McDonald 2-1
Daniel Elahi Galan has already claimed two Challenger titles this season and has been making quarterfinals at least in South America for the last four weeks straight. We’ll see whether that backfires in terms of his stamina, but you can’t deny he’s carrying a lot of momentum right now. Meanwhile, Mackenzie McDonald hasn’t won a match on clay since 2022 (11 losses in a row). His flat-hitting aggressive game doesn’t really work in these conditions, but he does have a decent chance on the Har-Tru clay in Houston.
Prediction: Galan in 3
Rinky Hijikata vs Christopher Eubanks
Head-to-head: Hijikata 2-0
Rinky Hijikata defeated Christopher Eubanks 7-6 7-6 in the opening round in Houston last year and as luck would have it, they’ll meet again on the very same stage. The American was getting some solid wins at the start of the season, but his form is trending downwards again in the last few weeks. While it’s tough to make the case for him being the favorite over Hijikata right now, it’s also worth remembering that win over Eubanks last year was the Australian’s only one that clay season and he’s got limited pedigree on the surface.
Prediction: Hijikata in 3
Ethan Quinn vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-head: Thompson 1-0
Ethan Quinn went 2-7 on clay last year, losing in Houston qualifying and not performing at all in the European part of the season. He’s clearly made a leap recently and could be eyeing a Top 100 debut soon. But taking down Jordan Thompson might not be easy in these conditions, the Australian has made multiple quarterfinals in Houston in singles and won the last two editions of the doubles event. Even this unique type of clay will force Quinn to be more patient and pretty inventive, which usually aren’t the strongest parts of his game.
Prediction: Thompson in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
