On the heels of Indian Wells and Miami, three more Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome will soon be upon us. But the clay-court swing as a whole is already here. It begins in Houston and Marrakech, where there are relatively strong fields by ATP 250 standards. Among the players in action this week are Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka, John Isner, Nick Kyrios, and Felix Auger-Aliassime,
U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
Where: Houston, Tex.
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: $594,950
Points: 250
Top seed: Taylor Fritz
2019 champion: Cristian Garin
Draw analysis: The ATP Tour knows a thing or two about imbalanced draws in 2022 as a result of Novak Djokovic’s inability to withdraw in a timely manner. Houston can join the club of tournaments in which the No. 1 seed withdrew, although in this case nobody is to blame. Casper Ruud probably didn’t expect to be in the Miami final. But he was, so getting right back in action at a 250 tournament makes no sense. Thus the Norwegian is out and will be replaced by Michael Mmoh, who goes straight through to the second round as a lucky loser. Opelka, Kyrgios, and Tommy Paul will be among those taking advantage in the top half of the bracket. Of that trio, Paul is the one with the combination of both stellar current form and clay-court capability.
A strong American contingent also makes up the bottom half, which is home to Fritz, Isner, Frances Tiafoe, and Jack Sock. One of the more intriguing first-round contests pits Sock against clay-court specialist Cristian Garin, but Garin is struggling mightily at the moment. Both Fritz and Tiafoe are decent enough on the red stuff, so they could be on course for a semifinal showdown.
Hot: Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Jenson Brooksby, J.J. Wolf, Denis Kudla, Alejandro Tabilo
Cold: Cristian Garin, Sam Querrey, Peter Gojowyczk, Feliciano Lopez, Steve Johnson
Quarterfinal predictions: Tommy Paul over Daniel Elahi Galan, Reilly Opelka over Jenson Brooksby, Frances Tiafoe over John Isner, and Taylor Fritz over Jack Sock
Semifinals: Paul over Opelka and Fritz over Tiafoe
Final: Paul over Fritz
Grand Prix Hassan II
Where: Marrakech, Morocco
Surface: Clay
Prize money: 534,555 Euros
Points: 250
Top seed: Felix Auger-Aliassime
2019 champion: Benoit Paire (not playing)
Draw analysis: The Marrakech field pales in comparison to that of Houston, but at least it has Felix Auger-Aliassime. On paper the Canadian is a clear title favorite, but has never been at his best on clay and he is coming off dreadful results in Indian Wells and Miami. Auger-Aliassime’s draw isn’t a good one, either. Alex Molcan would be a tough second-round opponent and potential quarterfinal foe Botic Van de Zandschulp just won their matchup in Indian Wells. Accomplished clay-courters like Albert Ramos-Vinolas, Laslo Djere, and Lorenzo Musetti could also contend for a final spot.
In part because Dan Evans is the No. 2 seed, the bottom half of the bracket is nowhere near as strong. It’s also not as deep. Don’t be surprised if an unseeded floater like Federico Coria, Pablo Andujar, or Richard Gasquet capitalizes on the opportunity. Even David Goffin has a chance to get back on track. All in all, this is an unspectacular 250 event sandwiched in between Masters 1000 tournaments; absolutely anything could happen.
Hot: Tallon Griekspoor, Alex Molcan, Jiri Vesely, Jiri Lehecka, Federico Coria
Cold: David Goffin, Marco Cecchinato
Quarterfinal predictions: Felix Auger-Aliassime over Botic Van de Zandschulp, Albert Ramos-Vinolas over Jiri Vesely, Federico Coria over Richard Gasquet, and Federico Delbonis over Pablo Andujar
Semifinals: Ramos-Vinolas over Auger-Aliassime and Delbonis over Coria
Final: Ramos-Vinolas over Delbonis
who ya got?
Houston:
QF: Kyrgios over Galan, Opelka over Brooksby, Isner over Tiafoe, Fritz over Thompson
SF: Opelka over Kyrgios, Isner over Fritz
F: Opelka over Isner
Marrakesh:
QF: Auger-Aliassime over Dellien, Djere over Ramos-Vinolas, Davidovich Fokina over Gasquet, Delbonis over Andujar
SF: Auger-Aliassime over Djere, Davidovich Fokina over Delbonis
F: Auger-Aliassime over Davidovich Fokina
Not sure why you are taking a shot at Nole since he did WD well in advance of IW, but whatever, it was the event that messed up.
Houston:
QF: Kyrgios over Galan, Opelka over Brooksby, Isner over Tiafoe, Fritz over Thompson
SF: Opelka over Kyrgios, Isner over Fritz
F: Opelka over Isner
Shows how much you know about FAA, clay was his best surface coming up through the ranks, made his 1st 2 ATP finals on it, his draw is totally a good one, he basically can’t have a bad draw at this event, don’t expect Botic to beat him again, plus I don’t think Botic will get out of R1 anyway. The bottom half is still very strong with the likes of Delbonis and Davidovich Fokina, they are better than most of the top half except for FAA.
Oh my, Griekspoor is so not hot, he needs to go in the cold column, he hasn’t won an ATP match since early Feb., he’s 5/6 on the year. Lehecka since Rotterdam has been cold too, not sure if you can call Molcan hot.
Marrakesh:
QF: Auger-Aliassime over Dellien, Djere over Ramos-Vinolas, Davidovich Fokina over Gasquet, Delbonis over Andujar
SF: Auger-Aliassime over Djere, Davidovich Fokina over Delbonis
F: Auger-Aliassime over Davidovich Fokina
FAA over Delbonis
Opelka over Isner
Oh dear. Delbonis and Ramos
So many withdrawals/retirements make the challenges almost impossible to predict!
Yes. I had Keys going far then couldn’t believe when the whole draw rejuggled. It’s crazy trying to predict TDC they never tell you about withdrawals until it’s too late
I know! First Harmony, now Coco! AAAAAHHH!
I picked HT you know why? Liked the name
Is Vandeweghe out already? Since the draw rejig, she going far in my draw. I had her out in ist round
Yes, brill name! Coco still there, but for how long? And how did MoMo sneak in?
Paul out to you know who