Eastbourne R2 previews and predictions: Fritz vs. McDonald, Paul vs. Baez

Wednesday in Eastbourne will have an American flavor, as Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Mackenzie McDonald are all in second-round action. Fritz and McDonald are facing each other, while Paul awaits Sebastian Baez.

(1) Taylor Fritz vs. Mackenzie McDonald

Fritz and McDonald will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers (third at the ATP level) when they clash in round two of the Rothesay International on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at 4-1 in favor of Fritz, who prevailed three times at the Futures and Challenger levels before most recently getting the job done 6-3, 7-6(6) earlier this season in Delray Beach. McDonald’s lone victory has come via a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 decision at that same Delray Beach tournament in 2019

The surface should not be much of a factor in this matchup, as both of these Americans are all-court players. Fritz is by far the better all-around player, especially right now. The 25-year-old is up to No. 9 in the world as he prepares to defend his Eastbourne title and then make his way to Wimbledon, where he reached the quarterfinals last summer (lost to Rafael Nadal in five sets). McDonald defeated clay-court specialist Marco Cecchinato 6-3, 6-3 earlier this week, but a big step up in competition should send the 28-year-old on his way to the All-England Club.

Pick: Fritz in 2

Sebastian Baez vs. (2) Tommy Paul

The surface will definitely be a factor in this matchup. Even though Paul is not exactly at home on grass, Baez would obviously much prefer to play this one on clay. The 44th-ranked Argentine is pretty much hopeless away from the red stuff, except maybe not on a slow, gritty hard court like that of Indian Wells. Baez beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-4 in Eastbourne on Monday, but Borges is also a grass-court novice.

Paul’s grass-court swing is off to a decent start. The 17th-ranked American advanced one round in Stuttgart before losing to Jan-Lennard Struff in a pair of tiebreakers, then he successfully qualified at Queen’s Club before falling to Francisco Cerundolo in three sets. Paul, who reached the Wimbledon fourth round last year, should be way to good for Baez on the lawn.

Pick: Paul in 2