Three first-round picks from Hamburg today, with rain threatening throughout and temperatures sitting around 12°C on the clay. Not ideal conditions for clean ball-striking, and that could make a few of these matches messier than they'd otherwise be. Let's get into it.
Hamburg Open Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: Paul 2-0 Etcheverry
Paul has beaten Etcheverry twice already and the Argentine hasn't really found an answer for the American's flat, aggressive game from the baseline. Etcheverry is a real threat on clay in general, and he did win his first career title in Rio earlier this year, but Paul's ball-striking on this surface has quietly become one of the more underrated weapons in the mid-tier of the rankings.
That said, Etcheverry will make him work for it and these two have the kind of styles that tend to produce close third sets. I think Paul gets through, but it won't be comfortable.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Flavio Cobolli vs Ignacio Buse
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the most interesting pick of the day. Cobolli is ranked 12th in the world and comes in as the heavy favorite, but Buse has been genuinely impressive on clay this season and the cold, heavy conditions in Hamburg today could slow things down enough to neutralize some of Cobolli's pace. Buse moves well and is patient in rallies, and on a day where the balls are going to be sitting up a little heavier than usual, that matters.
Cobolli is not in the kind of form right now that makes you feel confident laying him as a big favorite, and this feels like a dangerous opener for him. Buse takes it in three.
Prediction: Buse in 3
Luciano Darderi vs Roman Andres Burruchaga
Head-to-head: Darderi 1-0 Burruchaga
Darderi is the better player here and has already beaten Burruchaga once before, so there's not a huge amount to pick apart. He's been solid on clay this season and Burruchaga, ranked 56th and without a standout result in months, hasn't done anything lately to suggest he can flip this matchup around. Hard to see this being competitive at all. The wet conditions might make things a little scrappy, but Darderi should still find a way to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire