WTA Katowice, ATP Houston 2nd Round Predictions: Almagro-Monfils, Vinci-Bertens

The pick of the matches come from Houston tonight with just two seeds remaining in a rather hilarious draw for the debut WTA event in Katowice.

Roberta Vinci

1. Nicolas Almagro v Gael Monfils (Houston, R2)

Houston hosts Wednesday's match of the day between the number one seed Nicolas Almagro and Gael Monfils.  Monfils came through a tight two setter against James Blake in round one in his first match since playing Marseille in February, meanwhile Almagro had a bye into the second round.  The Spaniard has always had his best results on the clay and he is particularly consistent on this surface.  Their head-to-head is currently all square at 2-2; most notably, Almagro won both their match-ups on clay including their most recent match all the way back in 2009 at Acapulco.  Monfils is about as unpredictable as they come and has the potential to spring an upset, but I would favour Almagro to win this...

Prediction - Almagro to beat Monfils in 2 tight sets

2. Roberta Vinci v Kiki Bertens (Katowice, R2)

As mentioned above, Katowice has taken a hit with only two seeds remaining in the tournament.  This match between number two seed, Roberta Vinci and Kiki Bertens is one that I had my eye on from when the draw was released.  Vinci benefitted from a withdrawal by Andrea Hlavackova today, meanwhile Bertens blitzed Lara Arruabarena yesterday, 6-1 6-1.  Vinci has continued to improve her ranking this year with big points in Miami and Dubai that have elevated her to the lofty heights of world number 13.  Bertens is down at number 44, but she has started to string some solid results together and looks to be a talented player.  This will be a first ever match-up between the pair; Vinci always throws in some strange losses and her results on clay have never been anything special.  I'll go with my instinct and another Katowice upset...

Prediction - Bertens to beat Vinci in 3 sets

3. John Isner v Jack Sock (Houston, R2)

John Isner's 2013 season has been pretty miserable so far with two semi-final appearances in San Jose and Delray Beach the highlights so far.  Isner took out Ryan Harrison in the first round and now takes on another American in Jack Sock.  Sock is currently ranked at world number 119, but he should be able to boost that up significantly this year.  He beat another American, Bradley Klahn, 7-6(3) 6-3 in the first round.  Isner has not done badly on the dirt; since pushing Rafael Nadal to five sets in their Roland Garros opener in 2011, he then went on to beat Roger Federer and  Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Davis Cup action last year.  I fancy Isner to make the quarters this week where he should square off with Tommy Haas.

Prediction - Isner to beat Sock in 2 tight sets

Best of the rest: WTA Katowice predictions

Kvitova to beat Minella in 2 sets

Peer to beat Craybas in 3 sets

Begu to beat Cadantu in 3 sets

Best of the rest: ATP Houston predictions

Haas to beat Berankis in 2 tight sets

Lorenzi to beat Cipolla in 3 sets