Thursday tennis acca tips: Stan Wawrinka to build momentum in Marrakech

Popular veteran Stan Wawrinka has a chance to string some match wins together in Marrakech to stand him in good stead for the clay swing.

The elite tours are spread far and wide this week as the clay swing sees stops in North and South America, Europe and Africa.

Here we make selected picks for a handful of matches set to take place on 4 April 2024.

 

ATP Houston: Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Daniel Elahi Galan | Pick: Etcheverry

ATP Houston: James Duckworth vs Frances Tiafoe | Pick: Tiafoe

ATP Marrakech: Mariano Navone vs Stanislas Wawrinka | Pick: Wawrinka

ATP Marrakech: Aleksandar Vukic vs Sebastian Ofner | Pick: Ofner

ATP Marrakech: Daniel Evans vs Roberto Carballes Baena | Pick: Baena

ATP Marrakech: David Goffin vs Nicolas Moreno De Alboran | Pick: Goffin

WTA Bogota: Julia Riera vs Tatjana Maria | Pick: Maria

WTA Bogota: Marie Bouzkova vs Hailey Baptiste | Pick: Bouzkova

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ATP Houston: Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs Daniel Elahi Galan

Tomas Martin Etcheverry has been dominant in the rivalry between these two players winning three of their four meetings.

Etcheverry has had a decent start to the season but injury hampered him on home soil and he will want to improve in the clay swing.

Both players have winning career records on clay and there shouldn't be a disparity in skills.

Etcheverry will be the favourite to progress from this clash and might target a title run in Houston. 

 

ATP Houston: James Duckworth vs Frances Tiafoe

Frances Tiafoe has lost two of his three meetings with James Duckworth although he did win their last full tour meeting.

Duckworth owns a win on clay over Tiafoe from the Open de Nice Cote d'Azur in Nice back in 2015.

These players haven't met for over seven years so those past meetings might have little bearing.

Tiafoe has now overtaken Duckworth in the rankings and will be out for a strong display in the last home event for him for some time.

 

ATP Marrakech: Mariano Navone vs Stanislas Wawrinka

Mariano Navone has already had one standout run to the final of a clay court event this season.

Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka is out to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Navone is fully 16 years Wawrinka's junior and gives up a lot in experience to the Swiss star.

All 13 of Navone's wins this season have come on clay and he might have a shot at the upset here.

 

ATP Marrakech: Aleksandar Vukic vs Sebastian Ofner

Sebastian Ofner breezed to victory the last time these two players met on clay in a French Open qualifier.

Vukic holds the win in their only full tour meeting but that came nearly five years ago.

Ofner begins his campaign with this match having enjoyed a bye through the first round.

Vukic meanwhile overcame Alexandre Muller in a tight match to gain the last 16.

 

ATP Marrakech: Daniel Evans vs Roberto Carballes Baena

Roberto Carballes Baena beat Dane Evans twice in 2023 and both times he did it on clay.

Evans doesn't have the best time on clay generally and will struggle to best a player like Baena.

Evans holds a 22-place rankings edge but that isn't likely to count for much on clay.

Baena looked in good touch as he breezed through the first round and should gain the last eight.

 

ATP Marrakech: David Goffin vs Nicolas Moreno De Alboran

David Goffin has made a great start to his clay season in Marrakech coming through qualifying and winning his first round match to be 3-0 on the surface this term.

He faces a fellow qualifier Nicolas Moreno De Alboran in the second round.

De Alboran upset Facundo Diaz Acosta in the first round in Marrakech and is one win away from his best performance this season.

Goffin is some way off his peak but could still have the quality to come through this match.

 

WTA Bogota: Julia Riera vs Tatjana Maria

Julia Riera and Tatjana Maria won their opening round matches in Bogota to set up this first-time meeting.

Maria holds the edge in terms of ranking and experience but Riera has won more matches this season so far.

Riera was a semi-finalist in San Luis last week and is a rapidly improving player.

Still, Maria has a decent record on clay and could be the one to back in this encounter.

 

WTA Bogota: Marie Bouzkova vs Hailey Baptiste

Hailey Baptiste will put her recent good form to the test against a former top-30 player in Marie Bouzkova.

Baptiste spent nearly an hour longer on court than Bouzkova in the first round but should still be out to put in an energetic display.

The American recently reached a new career-high ranking and can keep her roll going with another positive result.

Bouzkova hasn't won twice at a tournament in 2024 but can put that right with a victory over Baptiste.