We've got three picks from the Boss Open first round in Stuttgart today, all on grass and all with something interesting going on. Let's get into it.
Boss Open - Stuttgart Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Head-to-head: Paul 0-1 Perricard
Perricard got Paul at last year's Queen's Club and it wasn't particularly close, but that win came before Paul had really settled into his grass-court game, and he's been a much more consistent player overall this season. The big Frenchman's serve is always a threat on this surface, and there will be moments where Paul can't do anything about it, but Paul is so good at not panicking when he's under pressure and he generally finds a way to stay in sets even when he's being outgunned.
Perricard's game is a bit one-note on grass. When the serve isn't clicking, he doesn't have enough else to lean on and Paul's return game should expose that over three sets.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Yannick Hanfmann vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Hanfmann is the local hero here and Stuttgart on grass genuinely suits his game, with a big serve and flat ball-striking that plays well on a fast surface. Kovacevic is a solid player but he's more comfortable grinding on hard courts, and I don't think he'll find his rhythm quickly enough on this surface against a guy who's been playing here for years. Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Hanfmann in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Agut 3-0 Giron
RBA owns this head-to-head and all three wins came on hard courts, so you'd think grass would actually swing things a bit more in Giron's direction, but the Spaniard has a quietly underrated grass game built on his precise ball placement and relentless consistency. That said, he's ranked 117th right now, which is a long way from where he was at his peak, for a reason and this isn't the RBA of a few years ago. Giron has been the steadier player recently and I feel like the ranking gap tells the real story of where both are right now.
Prediction: Giron in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Irina R. Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire