A two-team panel makes its picks for five men’s singles matches on the first day of action at the U.S. Open.(WC) Ryan Harrison vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Steen Kirby (Tennis East Coast) – Not sure there will be much to see here. Nadal is seemingly red-hot and Harrison has been exceedingly average besides his run to the Atlanta semifinals back in July. The Spaniard rather routinely took care of Harrison at Indian Wells earlier this year, a match Harrison pretty much admitted was nearly unwinnable for him at the time (interview at the Tallahassee Challenger back in April). Nadal plays better defense than Harrison ever has and Harrison really doesn’t have many weapons to hurt his opponent unless he serves really well. The world No. 2 doesn’t have the easiest start of the Big 3 players, but he should advance in straights. Nadal 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Ricky Dimon – Thus continues a streak of wretched luck for Harrison at Grand Slams: Robin Soderling in the first round of the French Open in 2011, Ferrer in the second round of Wimbledon in 2011, Marin Cilic in the first round of the 2011 U.S. Open, Andy Murray in the first round of the 2012 Australian Open, Djokovic in the second round of Wimbledon in 2012, Del Potro in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open, and Djokovic again in the second round of this year’s Australian Open. This one has to be the worst of all given Nadal’s current form. Harrison has been decent this summer, but this should end just as their Indian Wells meeting did–in straight sets. Nadal 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.
(Q) Nick Kyrgios vs. (4) David Ferrer
Steen – Ferrer has been uncharacteristically terrible this summer, but he always seems to do better at the U.S. Open than at the other summer hard-court events. The Spaniard has to defend semifinal points and he obviously wants to keep his ranking up in the Top 4. Kyrgios has a lot of talent; he has already won a main-draw slam match (at Roland Garros over Radek Stepanek) and hard courts suit him better than clay. The 18-year-old went through qualifying easily enough, but Ferrer is at a whole different level. Kyrgios will have a chance if the world No. 4 continues to struggle and he should cause some trouble, but Ferrer is the pick. Ferrer 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Ricky – It has already been a successful trip for Kyrgios, who qualified for the main draw. Ranked No. 1 in the world in juniors, the 18-year-old Aussie captured the Australian Open junior title and he also triumphed in the juniors doubles event at Wimbledon. What gives Kyrgios a chance in this one, though, is Ferrer’s summer slump. Since getting overpowered by Juan Martin Del Potro in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, the fourth-ranked Spaniard got blown out by Alex Bogomolov in his Montreal opener and he lost to Dmitry Tursunov in the Cincinnati third round. Ferrer is vulnerable, but this is too big of a step up in competition on too big of a stage for Kyrgios. Ferrer 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-3.
(27) Fernando Verdasco vs. Ivan Dodig
Steen – This looks like a very even first-round match between a pair of players that can do well on hard courts, has experience, and has played well at times this year. Dodig retired in his last match (Cincy qualies), but he should be over that by now while Verdasco won two matches and lost to Gael Monfils in three sets in Winston-Salem–his only hard-court tuneup before the U.S. Open. This is their first meeting on hard courts and it will likely go four or five sets, with a slight edge going to the Spaniard. Verdasco 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Ricky – Nothing has five-setter written all over it quite like Verdasco vs. Dodig. It may not produce the highest-quality tennis the whole time, but it should be entertaining. Their only previous meeting came last spring on the clay-courts of Monte-Carlo, where Verdasco got the job done in three sets. Neither man is playing particularly well right now, but the Spaniard can still take confidence from a Wimbledon quarterfinal (lost to Andy Murray after leading two sets to none). Verdasco 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
(WC) Rhyne Williams vs. Nikolay Davydenko
Steen – Williams has been sort of disappointing this summer, or at least the breakthrough that was expected hasn’t occurred yet. He still hasn’t broken into the Top 100 and is 2-4 in summer hard-court ATP events. Regardless, the American still has plenty of skill and this is his best surface. An aged Davydenko, meanwhile, is an even 20-20 this year in ATP matches and he has otherwise struggled aside from a recent quarterfinal in Montreal (where he had a favorable draw). Davydenko just doesn’t seem to have the fire anymore; his legs may still be there, but mentally he seems to have checked out. Williams 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
Ricky – Like Kyrgios, Williams has made a name for himself in 2013. The 22-year-old American has earned all five of his career ATP-level match victories this season and he registers one spot off his career-high ranking at No. 115 in the world. Williams has cooled off of late, but so has Davydenko–for three years, in fact. Now 32 years old, the former world No. 3 reached the Montreal quarterfinals only to deliver an almost inexplicable retirement against Vasek Pospisil. Seemingly in at least decent form this summer, Davydenko should have a little bit too much game and more than enough experience for Williams. Davydenko 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
(19) Tommy Robredo vs. Marinko Matosevic
Steen – Matosevic has recovered from a rough start to his year and had a good summer with quarterfinal showings in both Washington, D.C. and Montreal. Robredo, meanwhile, has been a steady veteran with a respectable 3-2 record on hard courts this summer and has good past performances at the U.S. Open. Robredo is the favorite according to the odds, but current form points slightly toward Matosevic. The winner of this has a great shot to go relatively deep in the draw. Matosevic 4-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-4.
Ricky – A revitalized Robredo is an outstanding 31-17 this season. He is 16-11 lifetime at the U.S. Open and has been to the fourth round an incredible seven times, including twice in his last three appearances. The Spaniard also made a memorable run to this year’s French Open quarterfinals. Matosevic is the opposite. In fact, he is a ridiculous 0-10 lifetime in the main draw of Grand Slams. The Aussie has played relatively well this summer and he is good on hard courts so this may not be a rout, but there is no reason to think Matosevic has a real chance. Robredo 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-2.
Hi Steen 🙂 Just checked out “Tennis East Coast” and really liked the lay out/your take/pics/ etc
Nice you’re a Murray fan too….;)
he knows his tennis, too. #expert
Had the right spin on the Nishikori/Evans match too.
Go Dan! Yay! 🙂
Steen looks like he’s in the groove with Rhyne vs. Davydenko
Ricky is off to a good start: 68% success rate for the first day of play.
Of the 6 predictions which didn’t come good, five were lost in the fifth set and the 6th was the upset of the day if not the tournament. Not bad!