Novak Djokovic is back to North America for the first time since COVID vaccine restrictions were lifted. He has a tough opener against in-form Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Daniil Medvedev will also be in action against Lorenzo Musetti.
(2) Novak Djokovic vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Novak Djokovic’s quest for a calendar-year Grand Slam was cut short at Wimbledon by world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic cut short his U.S. Open preparation to just Cincinnati. He hasn’t played on hard courts since Dubai at the end of February. Certainly as one of the greatest hard-court players of all time the world No. 2 isn’t likely to need much to find his form, but it could represent an opportunity for the field this week.
World No. 23 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had a tidy straight-set win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the first round. The Spaniard played lights-out tennis in Toronto last week to reach the quarterfinals. It’s likely that at some point this week fatigue will creep into the Spaniard’s game, but he should still be fresh enough to make an entertaining match of it on Wednesday.
Djokovic will have to shake off the hard court rust, and he will be facing an in-form opponent. Still, it’s Novak Djokovic on hard court. Expect the Serb to come through.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 3
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 3
(3) Daniil Medvedev vs. Lorenzo Musetti
Daniil Medvedev and Lorenzo Musetti just played each other last week in Toronto in the round of 16. That Musetti runs into Medvedev so early in the draw this week can only be considered bad luck. The Italian did not fare well against the Russian a few days ago, as Medvedev won 6-4, 6-4.
Medvedev has quite simply had a phenomenal year–everywhere except at the Grand Slams, that is. He made the semifinals at Wimbledon last month, but otherwise it has been disappointment at the majors. He bowed out of the Australian Open in the third round, and worse had shocker of a first-round exit at Roland Garros. The U.S. Open is generally his most successful major and hard courts his most successful surface by some margin.
This one shouldn’t be complicated for Medvedev. He won this event in 2019 and could well do it again this year.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 2
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
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