A few first-round picks to get through from Stuttgart today, where the grass is already producing some interesting matchups. Which of these do you think goes to three?
Boss Open Predictions
Quentin Halys vs Sho Shimabukuro
Head-to-head: Halys 1-0 Shimabukuro
Halys took their only meeting, but Shimabukuro has quietly become one of the more interesting players to watch on faster surfaces and I think the grass suits his flat, clean ball-striking better than it suits Halys. Halys hasn't done much on tour in recent months and comes in without a lot of momentum behind him.
Shimabukuro wins this one.
Prediction: Shimabukuro in 2
Roman Safiullin vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: Safiullin 0-1 Perricard
Perricard is one of the biggest servers on tour and grass is easily his best surface, so Safiullin coming in ranked below him and trailing the H2H isn't the most comfortable position to be in. That said, Perricard's game falls apart quickly once his serve isn't dominating and Safiullin is composed enough in rallies to drag him into uncomfortable territory. It feels like the kind of match that goes deep into a third set before Safiullin's consistency tips it his way.
Prediction: Safiullin in 3
Tom Gentzsch vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: First meeting
Gentzsch is ranked well outside the top 200 and this is a big step up in class. Hijikata has had a solid year and moves well enough to handle the grass, and hard to see this being competitive at all. Straight sets here.
Prediction: Hijikata in 2
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Stephane Thomas/ZUMA Press Wire