Two all-American showdowns are part of the Thursday schedule in Houston. Second-round action begins with Steve Johnson vs. Frances Tiafoe, while Ryan Harrison and Taylor Fritz are also battling for a place in the quarterfinals.
Taylor Fritz vs. (7) Ryan Harrison
It will be a third career contest–and first at the ATP main-draw level–between Harrison and Fritz when the two Americans square off in round two of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on Thursday afternoon. Harrison has won both of their previous encounters; 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 during qualification for the 2016 Paris Masters and 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the 2017 Dallas Challenger on an indoor hard court.
The 25-year-old American remains an obvious favorite on paper, having already won 10 main-tour matches in 2018–twice as many as Fritz. Harrison, a runner-up in Brisbane and quarterfinalist in Acapulco, has never been at his best on clay but he has plenty of experience on the surface and managed to win the 2017 French Open doubles title. Fritz, on the other hand, compiled a 1-4 record on the red stuff in 2016 and skipped the entire clay-court swing last season. The 20-year-old has a tough test ahead of him, and a grueling win over Tim Smyczek in his opener (8-6 in a third-set tiebreaker) does not help matters.
Pick: Harrison in 2
[polldaddy poll=9980170]
Frances Tiafoe vs. (6) Steve Johnson
Johnson and Tiafoe will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Thursday. Tiafoe was already a well-known commodity on tour prior to this season, but 2018 has all the makings of a true breakout for him. The 20-year-old American has already more than doubled his career ATP-level win total from nine matches to 19, capturing his first ATP title in Delray Beach while also reaching the quarterfinals in New York and the Miami fourth round.
Going in the other direction ever since last spring, Johnson–at 51st in the rankings–will be in danger of getting surpassed by his 58th-ranked opponent if his slump continues on Thursday. The 28-year-old American went 7-10 in his last 17 matches of 2017 and is a modest 7-8 this season following his 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 first-round victory over compatriot Ernesto Escobedo. Tiafoe, who defeated wild card Mackenzie McDonald 6-3, 6-3, has a clear edge in current form and should be able to dictate play to the extent that he will use his ferocious forehand to exploit Johnson’s backhand.
Pick: Tiafoe in 3
[polldaddy poll=9980168]
who ya got?
Tiafoe and harrison in three
i took johnson earlier today, because of the height differential, and by the time Tiafoe decides to play, the match might be over and then I took Harrison, although I missed the match and just saw the ending. How are you going to “nut up” against a struggling Donald Young, but lose to Taylor baby back bitch Fritz? I wish I got in to tennis when I was younger, No mercy, I would just Kyrgios the shit out of them.
Both wrong.
Amazed how bad picks are. Happy to go head to head in picks against you anytime.