Now that Houston is done with the NCAA basketball tournament, it can focus solely on ATP clay-court tennis. We have six first-round matches on tap on Tuesday. Will the madness transfer from the basketball courts to the tennis courts? What do you think will happen?
ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions
J.J. Wolf vs Jordan Thompson
Ohio State’s basketball team didn’t make this year’s NCAA tournament, but alum J.J. Wolf still has a chance to do the Buckeyes proud in Houston. He doesn’t have much experience on clay courts, but the Houston clay always acts a little different, and Thompson is no clay specialist himself. I’ll take Wolf on home soil.
Prediction: Wolf in 3
Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
A rare battle between two clay-courters in Houston. Cerundolo is rising with stops and starts, and we might currently be in a “stop” period. Etcheverry is solid and talented. If they’re both at their best, Cerundolo should be the favorite. But neither of these men play their best very frequently, and expecting it from Cerundolo right now might be too much to ask.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Marcos Giron vs Emilio Gomez
This is a battle between a young American and a seasoned South American clay-courter. Can the home crowd power Marcos Giron? Maybe. Giron has risen well above his talent level in some of the biggest matches of his career, but has been a solid journeyman-level player in most Tour events. Gomez, meanwhile, is solid on clay, but has never been a great player. On raw talent, Giron is better. On clay, I’d take Gomez. Since it’s in the United States, we’ll swing back to Giron. Should be a very tight match.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
