ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions Including Martin Damm vs Brandon Nakashima

The ATP clay season is kicking off this week in Houston, as usual with a field full of American players but none of the world’s top players on clay. As such, it should be a very unpredictable tournament as always, with lots of tight matches decided by very small margins. Day 2 in Houston will surely be another great day of tennis.

ATP Houston Day 2 Predictions

Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Federico Agustin Gomez

Head-to-head: first meeting

Etcheverry is a former finalist at this event and always a threat in smaller clay court events. Having finally won his first career title earlier this year in Rio, he will be looking to add more titles to his name and this event in Houston seems like a great opportunity to do so. On paper, he got an excellent first round draw here and should advance with relative ease.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 2

Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Rinky Hijikata

Head-to-head: Kovacevic 3-1 Hijikata

It’s a match between two players of similar level and also two players who are far from comfortable on clay. As such, it is an extremely difficult match to predict, but the three times they faced in 2024 showed that Kovacevic has the edge in their direct matchup and he has a small edge here even if it should be a close match either way.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 3

Martin Damm vs Brandon Nakashima

Head-to-head: first meeting

Nakashima lost two very close matches last month, in Indian Wells to Alexander Zverev and Miami to Marin Cilic, and he will be looking to bounce back here in Houston. Although Nakashima doesn’t really feel comfortable on clay, the same is true for Damm; the latter, however, is still to establish himself as a consistent ATP level player (despite a good run in Montpelier earlier this year). Nakashima is clearly the better player of the two and should advance here.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2