Three first-round picks from the HSBC Championships in London today, all on grass and all genuinely interesting for different reasons. Who do you think gets through cleanly?
HSBC Championships Predictions
Kamil Majchrzak vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Majchrzak 2-0 Lehecka
That head-to-head is a weird one. Majchrzak has beaten Lehecka twice, but Lehecka has developed into a completely different player since those results and is now a top-15 fixture on tour. The gap in ranking tells most of the story, and on grass Lehecka's big serve and flat ball-striking should make him tough to handle for a player at Majchrzak's level.
Majchrzak isn't without weapons on this surface and the H2H gives him some belief at least. But Lehecka wins this one, just expect it to be closer than the ranking difference suggests.
Prediction: Lehecka in 3
Tommy Paul vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Paul 0-2 Zandschulp
Van De Zandschulp owns this matchup so far, and that's not nothing. He's a solid grass-court player and his heavy ball can disrupt Paul's rhythm. That said, Paul is the higher-ranked player right now and he's been one of the more consistent Americans on tour this season, so going 0-2 in this H2H starts to feel like a streak that needs breaking.
I think Paul figures it out this time, but three sets feels right given the history between them.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Arthur Rinderknech vs Hamad Medjedovic
Head-to-head: Rinderknech 1-1 Medjedovic
Medjedovic is an interesting young player and the level H2H shows he's capable of beating Rinderknech on a given day. But Rinderknech's game, particularly his big serve, translates well to grass and he comes in as the higher-ranked and more experienced player on this surface. Hard to see Medjedovic, still finding his footing at this level, causing real problems on a surface that doesn't suit him.
Rinderknech in three sets should have enough on this surface, though Medjedovic will make him work for it, all things considered.
Prediction: Rinderknech in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Oscar J. Barroso/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire