Each first-round and second-round matches might 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 below are my picks for 2 of Wednesday’s finest matchups.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Matteo BerrettiniTiafoe and Berrettini might be going through one another for the third time. They’ve cut up their two earlier conferences; Berrettini obtained the job achieved 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 dropping motivation following the U.S. Open on an annual foundation, so it’s not a shock to see him in mediocre kind for the time being. 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 an entire totally different beast. Berrettini, who took care of Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-4 in spherical one, is particularly harmful on any form of quick floor.
Choose: Berrettini in 3
Brandon Nakashima vs. (4) Tommy PaulPaul might be persevering with his bid for a Nitto ATP Finals berth when he takes the court docket in Vienna. The Twelfth-ranked American helped himself bigtime by successful the Nordic Open in Stockholm final week. However now there are 500 factors obtainable relatively than 250, so it’s one other crucial week for Paul as he tries to maneuver up a minimum of 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 report, this one doesn’t arrange properly for the underdog. He has performed nice in 2024 however–not like 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 current losses have are available straight units.
Choose: Paul in 2
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
