Kei Nishikori is a fan favorite in any tournament he plays and even if most of the ATP 250 Houston crowd likely won’t remember him making the 2011 final, he’s bound to receive plenty of support in his return to the venue. Trying to steal the show on Tuesday will also be in-form Colton Smith or two-time quarterfinalist Michael Mmoh. Who do you think will make the second round?
ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions
Colton Smith vs James Duckworth
Head-to-head: First meeting
Colton Smith is such an amazing prospect and the University of Arizona standout is producing some excellent results while still playing college. While he had never played any professional matches on clay before this event, he handled the conditions well in two qualifying wins. James Duckworth was the runner-up on altitude hard courts in Morelia on Sunday and if it wasn’t for that surface change, this match would be projecting a bit closer. As it stands, this is another great opportunity for Smith to grab a big win.
Prediction: Smith in 3
Michael Mmoh vs Adam Walton
Head-to-head: Walton 1-0
Adam Walton defeated Michael Mmoh in Indian Wells a few weeks ago. This matchup can be such a grindfest with both players loving extended rallies and trying to stay more consistent than the opponent. Walton has practically no clay court experience, losing both matches he played on the surface in 2024 while enjoying so much success elsewhere. Maybe here Mmoh can come out on top in this endurance battle, especially as he reached the quarterfinals in Houston in his last two appearances.
Prediction: Mmoh in 3
Kei Nishikori vs Mitchell Krueger
Head-to-head: Nishikori 1-0
Mitchell Krueger pulled through the qualifying in a very unique manner – in both matches he lost the opening set and then the opponent retired in the second. Now he’s facing Kei Nishikori, who came to Houston for the first time since reaching the 2011 final. Krueger has enjoyed a nice resurgence over the last year or so, but even Har-Tru clay isn’t really his preferred surface. He’ll need to play better than in the qualifying against a finally healthy and still so talented Nishikori.
Prediction: Nishikori in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
