Top ATP Houston Picks: Tiafoe vs Hijikata Showdown
The ATP 250 in Houston has reached the round of 16. Several intriguing matchups are set for early April.
Tien vs Basavareddy (02.04.2026, 22:30 CEST)
Learner Tien enters as the clear favorite. He is seeded third this week in Houston.
Tien has won three of his last five matches. He fell in Miami to Majchrzak in the second round in three sets.
Nishesh Basavareddy also boasts three wins in his last five outings. He advanced here by beating Draxl in three sets.
The head-to-head record heavily favors Tien at 4-0. He has taken the past three meetings without dropping a set.
Filmogaz.com view: Tien in straight sets looks the most likely outcome. Bookmakers list Learner Tien 2-0 at 1.83 on bet365.
Hijikata vs Tiafoe (03.04.2026, 01:00 CEST)
Rinky Hijikata arrives after a solid opening match. He beat Kovacevic in straight sets while offering and saving only two breakpoints.
Frances Tiafoe has won three of his last five matches. He was stopped by Sinner in Miami, losing in the quarterfinals in straight sets.
Tiafoe has been a consistent performer in Houston. He reached the final in the past two editions and won the title in 2023 over Etcheverry.
Head-to-head stands 1-2 in favor of Tiafoe. He remains the bookmakers’ pick for this clash.
Filmogaz.com pick: Expect Tiafoe to control the match. A -3.5 games handicap on Frances Tiafoe is the suggested value at 1.67 on bet365.
These Top ATP Houston picks highlight the Tiafoe vs Hijikata matchup as the key showdown to watch.
Michelsen vs Popyrin (03.04.2026, 02:30 CEST)
Alex Michelsen is in form, winning four of his last five matches. He opened in Houston with a straight-sets victory over Wong.
Michelsen offered and saved three breakpoints in that opening win. Last season he lost to Tiafoe in the quarterfinals in straight sets.
Alexei Popyrin struggled earlier this year, losing three of his last five matches. He survived a tight three-setter against Kypson here, after dropping the first set 4-6.
There is no prior meeting between these two. Bookmakers see Michelsen as a slight favorite.
Filmogaz.com assessment: Michelsen’s serve gives him the edge. The -2.5 games handicap for Alex Michelsen is good value at 1.91 on bet365.
Coverage by Filmogaz.com.
Photo credit: Susan Mullane / USA TODAY Sports.
