After seeing two seeded Americans fall already, Reilly Opelka will try and reverse the trend on Day 3, with the first set of second0round matches to get underway. It lines up to be another exciting day with competitive matches throughout.
ATP Houston Day 3 Predictions
Henri Laaksonen vs Ryan Harrison
Head-to-head: First Meeting
Laaksonen has seen a ranking drop but always fights and never is an easy win. Harrison has also not been at his best recently, but had a strong first round where he broke Ivo Karlovic twice. Laaksonen is comfortable on clay and will have the attitude advantage over Harrison and will pull out a close one.
Prediction: Laaksonen in 3
Christian Garin vs Jeremy Chardy
Head-to-head: 2-0 Chardy
Garin is one of the more under the radar young players in the game. He is exciting to watch and, at World #73 at age 22, still has plenty of potential. Chardy may be best poised to win this tournament considering his form and game, for just his second career title. They most recently met in 2017 in a Challenger, won by Chardy–in addition to their two other meetings, all on clay. Chardy has a solid game and will beat the youngster Garin.
Prediction: Chardy in 2
Reilly Opelka vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: 1-0 Opelka
Opelka has had an excellent 2019, starting the year outside the top 100 and currently at World #56. Ruud is another young standout who slowed down a bit after a strong start to 2018. Opelka won their only meeting; however, it was on a hard court where he is strongest. Ruud is stronger on clay, and his father won the previous Houston tournament at the same venue. As any match featuring a 6’11” player, the margins of victory will be razor thin with tiebreaks likely, and Ruud’s comfort on clay will give him the edge to win.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Bernard Tomic vs Marcel Granollers
Head-to-head: 1-0 Tomic
This match up features two players who have not exactly featured in many second round or later draws recently. The two players have a total of three tour level wins in 2019 combined. Granollers did earn an impressive win over young American standout Taylor Fritz, with Tomic beating a potentially dangerous Denis Kudla. Granollers has struggled, but he is more comfortable on clay than Tomic, and it has been almost impossible to have confidence in Tomic over the last year or so.
Prediction: Granollers in 2
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