The four remaining second-round matches at the ATP 250 in Houston will be concluded on Thursday. Second seed Tommy Paul kicks off his campaign against German journeyman Yannick Hanfmann. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Houston Day 4 Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Tomas Machac
Head-to-head: first meeting
Giron picked up his first win in Houston by thrashing Emilio Gomez 6-0 6-2. Machac, for his part, handed Jack Sock a straight-sets defeat in what could prove to be the final straw in Sock’s love affair in Houston. Giron has a tough opponent in his way if he wants to back up that scintillating performance against Gomez. He has the defensive baseline skills to keep Machac invested in rallies. But the Czech looks far too polished to be engaged in a series of exchanges here. It could be tight, but Machac should sneak through.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Cristian Garin vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: first meeting
Cristian Garin played flawless tennis in his 6-3 6-0 win over Hugo Dellien. We expected the Bolivian to struggle with the bounce on the Har-Tru clay, but not to the extent where he won only one point behind Garin’s first serve and a measly four points behind the second serve. Garin was scheduled to face Brandon Nakashima, but the American has withdrawn from the tournament opening up a lucky loser spot for Zizou Bergs. It looks like the Belgian will take a while to find his footing outside hard courts after he was dominated by Aleksandar Vukic in the final round of qualifying. Garin has built belief back in his game and should win comfortably.
Prediction: Garin in 2
Tommy Paul vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-head: Paul 1-1 Hanfmann
Tommy Paul is the second seed this week and that makes him a sizable favorite in his first match in Houston. But he faces a slightly tricky opener here against Yannick Hanfmann who has played an overwhelming majority of his matches on the dirt. Hanfmann has won three on the spin this week from qualifying and defeated Yosuke Watanuki in the first round in three sets. Paul was woefully out of touch on the clay last year winnig just two matches. He will need to keep his baseline aggression under control and not look to overcommit in rallies. Hanfmanna’s relative lack of variety might end up costing him a potentially upset win.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Main photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
