A few first-round picks to get into from Stuttgart, where the grass season is officially underway. Some interesting matchups here, including a couple of results that might raise eyebrows. Who do you think comes through?
Boss Open Predictions
Yannick Hanfmann vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Hanfmann is the home crowd favourite here and has some grass experience to his name, but Kovacevic has been the more consistent performer over the past few months and comes in ranked higher for a reason. Neither player has a massive grass pedigree, so this one really comes down to who's sharper on the day, and I think that's Kovacevic.
These first-round matches on grass can go anywhere when two players are evenly matched and still finding their footing on the surface. Kovacevic in three feels right, all things considered.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3
Quentin Halys vs Sho Shimabukuro
Head-to-head: Halys 1-0 Shimabukuro
Halys took their only previous meeting, but Shimabukuro has actually been playing some decent tennis lately and grass can be a real leveller for players with a big serve and flat ball-striking. Halys is ranked higher but hasn't been in great form and on a surface where rankings matter less than usual, that opens the door.
Shimabukuro in two straight is a bold call, but not an unreasonable one.
Prediction: Shimabukuro in 2
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Agut 3-0 Giron
Three wins from three for Bautista Agut in this rivalry, and yet Giron is the one coming in better ranked and in better form right now. RBA is a tough competitor and knows how to grind, but he's never been the most dangerous player on grass and his level has dipped a bit this season. That said, Giron has enough game to exploit that.
Hard to see the head-to-head mattering much here, and Giron finally gets his first win.
Prediction: Giron in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire