Each first-round and second-round matches will probably be performed on Wednesday on the ATP 500 occasion in Vienna. Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini, Tommy Paul, and Brandon Nakashima are amongst these in motion.
Listed here are my picks for 2 of Wednesday’s finest matchups.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Matteo BerrettiniTiafoe and Berrettini will probably be dealing with one another for the third time. They’ve cut up their two earlier conferences; Berrettini acquired the job performed 6-3, 7-6(1) on the crimson clay of Rome in 2018 earlier than received a 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) marathon on the 2022 Cincinnati event.
Tiafoe has admitted to shedding motivation following the U.S. Open on an annual foundation, so it’s not a shock to see him in mediocre kind in the mean time. He has not received back-to-back matches since leaving New York and is 3-4 in his final seven. Tiafoe beat Cameron Norrie on Tuesday on the Erste Financial institution Open, however Berrettini is a complete totally different beast. Berrettini, who took care of Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-4 in spherical one, is very harmful on any form of quick floor.
Choose: Berrettini in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs. (4) Tommy PaulPaul will probably be persevering with his bid for a Nitto ATP Finals berth when he takes the courtroom in Vienna. The Twelfth-ranked American helped himself bigtime by successful the Nordic Open in Stockholm final week. However now there are 500 factors out there quite than 250, so it’s one other essential week for Paul as he tries to maneuver up not less than two locations from his present standing of No. 10 within the race.
Up first for Paul is Nakashima, who leads the head-to-head sequence 3-1 (3-0 on the principle tour). Regardless of that document, this one doesn’t arrange effectively for the underdog. He has performed nice in 2024 however–in contrast to Paul–has clearly hit the wall on the finish of a protracted season. Nakashima is 1-4 in his final 5 matches and all 4 of his latest losses have are available in straight units.
Choose: Paul in 2
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
