The U.S. Open gets underway on Monday, so the first installment of daily picks is in. Among the slate of action is a rematch of a 2011 five-setter between Andy Murray and Robin Haase.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Diego Schwartzman: Talk about getting thrown into the fire in Grand Slams. In his major main-draw debut at this year’s French Open, Schwartzman lost to Roger Federer in the second round. Now the 22-year-old Argentine has to go up against Djokovic right away in New York. Djokovic in 3.
Robin Haase vs. (8) Andy Murray: The last time Murray and Haase faced each other at the U.S. Open it was a borderline disaster, albeit a thriller. It was especially a disaster for Haase, who blew a two-set lead in a 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4 loss. They will once again square off on Louis Armstrong court. Deja vu? Well, probably not exactly. Murray in 3.
(Q) Taro Daniel vs. (5) Milos Raonic: Daniel will get the Louis Armstrong treatment since he is 25 percent American. Wait, nevermind; he’s on a show court because he is facing world No. 6 Raonic. And that world No. 6 is in outstanding form coming off a U.S. Open Series overall win. Raonic in 3.
(9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Juan Monaco: Monaco is a shadow or his former self. Tsonga had been a shadow of his former self for much of 2014 before capturing the Toronto title from just about out of nowhere, upsetting four top-10 opponents along the way (including Djokovic and Roger Federer). Advantage: Tsonga–especially on a fast hard court. Tsonga in 3.
Blaz Kavcic vs. Donald Young: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez has been the difference between a very good last three months and a great last three months for Young (the American lost to GGL in final sets at the French Open and in Winston-Salem). Still, based on current form this is Young’s best chance to make it to the second week in Flushing Meadows for the second time in his career. And he should certainly make it to the second round. Young in 4.
Simone Bolelli vs. Vasek Pospisil: Bolelli is in the midst of a resurgence from a slump that lasted several years. He has been past the first round of two straight Grand Slams having previously not reached a second round since Wimbledon in 2011. Pospisil is in the midst of a resurgence from an injury-plagued first few months of 2014. Surging in confidence both in singles and doubles, the Canadian should roll in this one. Pospisil in 3.
Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs. (16) Tommy Robredo: Death, taxes, and Tommy Robredo reaching the fourth round of Grand Slams. Robredo actually went all the way to the quarterfinals at the 2013 U.S. Open, beating Roger Federer in the process. This Roger is not as formidable, although the Frenchman is not the easiest of opening foes. Robredo in 4.
James McGee vs. Aleksandr Nedovyesov: If you haven’t seen McGee’s celebration–or more like reaction–after qualifying for the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, check it out. That’s what it is all about right there. And the 27-year-old Dublin, Ireland native has a decent chance to keep his run going into the second round. That being said, it’s hard to bounce back and build on such an emotional moment. Nedovyesov in 5. [polldaddy poll=8264091]
I agree with the picks except the Blaz Kavcic vs. Donald Young pick, I’m picking Kavcic.