Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open

After taking a couple of weeks off to rest his shoulder and from a virus, NBTA alum Tommy Haas took the court in Houston against Igor Kunitsyn. Haas fell behind in the first set 4-1 but battled back to win it 7-5. In the second set, Haas was up 4-3 with Kunitsyn serving at 0-40. With three chances to break and go ahead 5-3, Haas squandered five consecutive points and lost the game to make it 4-4. Kunitsyn then broke Haas in a 14 point game, during which Haas had four double faults. Not good. In the next game, Haas once again had a break chance to get the match back on serve, but lost it and the set. In the third and final set, each player was broken in their first service game, but it was Kunitsyn who broke Haas again to win the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Tough loss for Tommy. He was the second seed in the tournament, but not having played in a month will definitely take its toll on you. “I did have chances there at 4-3 in the second, 0-40, three break points, and didn’t win the big points,” Haas said. “And that’s unfortunate.” Sure is. Kunitsyn will face Sergio Roitman, who beat American John Isner, in the second round.