Japan Open 2024: Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (5) Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac
Date: 27 September 2024
Tournament: Japan Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $1,818,380
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky UK
Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac preview
Fifth seed Tommy Paul will look to continue his Japan Open campaign alive when he takes on Czech Tomas Machac in the second round. Paul has a 39-15 record for the season, with two title wins at the Dallas Open and the Queen's Club Championships. The American player was last seen in action at the US Open, where he lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.
On hard courts, the World No. 13 has fared well in 2024. Apart from the title in Dallas, he also reached the final of the Delray Beach Open, losing to compatriot Taylor Fritz. He reached the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open, losing to Daniil Medvedev. At the Japan Open, he began with a straight-set victory over Matteo Arnaldi in the first round.
Tomas Machac on the other hand, has a 24-18 record this season, including an appearance in the final of the Geneva Open where he lost to Casper Ruud. His biggest title of the year also came on the red dirt, when he partnered with Katerina Siniakova to win the mixed doubles gold at the Paris Olympics. Machac last played at the Davis Cup, where he had to retire from his matches against Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexei Popyrin.
On the hard courts, the Czech player had his best result in the Miami Open, where he reached the quarterfinal before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. He also had a decent run at the US Open, losing to Jack Draper in the fourth round. At the Japan Open, he registered an impressive three-set victory over the in-form Alexei Popyrin.
Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two players on the ATP Tour.
Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac odds
(Odds will be updated once available)
Tommy Paul vs Tomas Machac prediction
Tommy Paul has won 72 percent of his first serve points on hard courts this year, with an equally high 53 percent on wins on second serves. This has enabled the American to save 66 percent of the breakpoints that he has faced on his serve. His style of play suits the hard courts, as he has reached four hard-court finals in his career, with two titles to his name.
Machac's best results have come on clay so far, be it singles or doubles. The Czech has been promising on hard courts but has yet to reach a final on the surface.
However, that being said, the American will be the favorite going into this match as he is the higher-ranked player and has more proficiency on hard courts.
Pick- Paul to win in straight sets