What is Tirante’s real potential?

Agustin Tirante has a reputation for playing very good tennis, but he isn’t consistent. Could the conditions in Madrid change anything for him?

People are wondering because he delivered a really complete performance in his first-round match against Bautista Agut. In that match, there was a clear gap between the two players, but what struck me most was how complete the Argentine’s match was mentally, in conditions that weren’t so easy, since it was his opponent’s last appearance in this tournament.

I’m also talking about the altitude, because the kick on his serve and the punch on his forehand often allowed him to take control of the rallies, and even in defense with a forehand or a sprint that were absolutely splendid.

Today he’s playing against Tommy Paul, who is certainly one of the best American players on clay. Every season, Tommy Paul usually plays the Houston tournament, then prepares for the European clay swing before playing Madrid, then Rome, then Roland Garros. His performances on European clay prove that he’s a top-10 player on this surface. His recent results, including his title in Houston, show that he’s already someone to be wary of in Madrid. In terms of match-up, we think the American has a more complete game than the Argentine. You could call it ‘statistical tennis,’ even though he can be very aggressive and loves to play that way. He’s known for having a well-rounded profile and being very solid. That’s exactly what you need to beat Tirante, because if you manage to neutralize the Argentine’s serve-plus-forehand, that’s when he starts to lose his bearings and his level begins to fluctuate. I’m going to check the odds.