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A bumper fourth day of main draw action at the 2023 ATP 250 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston on Thursday (April 6) will see one first-round and eight second-round matches take place.
A rain-marred Wednesday saw the cancelation of all five matches (one first round and four second round), leading to fixture congestion on Thursday. The winner of the first-round match scheduled on the previous day will now have to play twice on Thursday.
Without further ado, here's a look at how the top four matches on Thursday in Houston could pan out:
#1 Round of 16: John Isner vs Glij Brouwer
Fourth seed John Isner will take on Gijs Brouwer in his Houston opener after a first-round bye.
The 46th-ranked Isner has won only four times in ten matches this season, riding a four-match losing streak since making the Dallas final. Meanwhile, World No. 123 Brouwer beat Aleksandar Kovacevic to improve to 4-2 this year.
Despite his poor recent form, Isner should return to winning ways against the young Dutchman in this first-time matchup.
Prediction: Isner to win in three sets.
#2 Round of 16: Frances Tiafoe (Houston top seed) vs Steve Johnson
Top seed Frances Tiafoe takes on wildcard Steve Johnson in his Houston opener that was originally scheduled for Wednesday.
World No. 15 Tiafoe is 15-5 in 2023, having won all five matches at the inaugural United Cup. He has made the quarterfinals at Dallas and Acapulco and the last four at Indian Wells. Meanwhile, the 152nd-ranked Johnson (1-2) opened his account for the season by beating qualifier Facundo Bagnis.
Johnson has won the pair's two previous meetings - both on clay - but Tiafoe's better recent form means he should take this one.
Prediction: Tiafoe to win in straight sets.
#3 Round of 16: Tommy Paul vs Yannick Hanfmann
Second seed Tommy Paul faces qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in his opening-round match at Houston.
The 18th-ranked Paul is 16-6 this season, having reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the final in Acapulco. Meanwhile, World No. 134 Hanfmann improved to 3-3 in 2023 by beating qualifier Yosuke Watanuki in the first round.
While Hanfmann won their lone meeting two years ago in Cagliari, the in-form Paul should take this one.
Prediction: Paul to win in straight sets.
#4 Round of 16: J.J. Wolf vs Denis Kudla
Fifth seed J.J. Wolf takes on compatriot Denis Kudla for a place in the Houston last eight.
The 54th-ranked Wolf is 10-7 for the season after beating Jordan Thompson in his opener. Meanwhile, World No. 137 Kudla beat qualifier Aleksandar Vukic to improve to 4-4 in 2023.
Going by his current form, Wolf should take this first-time matchup.
Prediction: Wolf to win in straight sets.
