Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Japan Open

Prediction published on 27/09/2024, 06:48  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 27/09/2024 at 06:52 in Tennis Predictions

Fifth seed Tommy Paul and the unseeded Tomas Machac will face off next at the Japan Open. Their first career meeting will be a second-round tie staged on Saturday. In this preview, we highlight the stats for both players and offer a prediction for the match.

Tommy Paul is back to winning ways after losing in the fourth round at the US Open. The American defeated Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets in the first round. Last year, on his debut, Paul produced a quarter-final finish and will be eager to surpass that on his return.

The 27-year-old world number 13 has won 39 matches so far in 2024 and is on course to surpass his 46 wins last season. Paul has won two titles, in Dallas and London at the Queen's Club and also finished as runner-up in Delray.

Tomas Machac hasn’t won a title yet in 2024 but was a finalist in Geneva where he earned his maiden tour final appearance. The Czech star is having a strong year and has so far compiled a 28-19 record.

Aside from the final in Geneva, he also managed to get to the quarter-finals in Miami and the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. Both results were career highs at Grand Slam and Masters levels.

Machac, who has dropped six places in the live ranking to 40th, overpowered Alexei Popyrin in the first round. He avoided a third successive defeat this season against the Australian via a decider.

The match lasted two hours and 29 minutes and allowed the 23-year-old to snap a three-match losing run. The winner from this will battle Christopher O’Connell or Alex Michelsen next.