The U.S. Open will begin third-round action on Wednesday, when a wide-open bottom half of the men’s draw once again takes center stage. Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Joey Hanf of Cliff Drysdale Tennis preview and predict four of the most intriguing matchups.
(8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (Q) Denis Shapovalov
Ricky: Shapovalov’s rise–mainly thanks to a memorable semifinal run in Montreal–came after the U.S. Open entry deadline and he didn’t get a wild card. No matter. The 18-year-old Canadian won three qualifying matches and maintained momentum by hammering Daniil Medvedev in straight sets on Monday. Tsonga had no trouble taking care of Marius Copil, but that marked the Frenchman’s first victory since Wimbledon. A major edge in current form goes to Shapovalov, who is playing the best tennis of his life. Shapovalov in 4:.
Joey: Fantastic shotmaking will be on display Wednesday night on Ashe. Shapovalov is clearly no longer a stranger to the masses, and his effort qualifying and easily winning his first round over Medvedev has nearly impressed me more than his epic run in Montreal. Tsonga should have had a decent summer, but he totally blew a match against Sam Querrey in Montreal and looked oddly tight in the process. I see this one going four, but Tsonga will be able to expose the Canadian’s return of serve–which is possibly his only weakness. Shapovalov will win more fans but lose the match. Tsonga in 4: 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-3.
[polldaddy poll=9818682]
Borna Coric vs. (4) Alexander Zverev
Ricky: This is a great matchup in that it pits two the future stars on tour against each other. But only one is a true star of the present. That, of course, is Zverev. The 20-year-old German has captured two Masters 1000 titles this season (Rome and Montreal), playing his way into a top-four seed at a major. Zverev had some early-tournament jitters as a slam favorite for the first time in his career when he beat Darian King on Monday night (Tuesday morning), but he should raise his level considerably in match two. Zverev in 3: 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
Joey: I think this is a serious trouble match for Zverev. That late finish in round one is not going to be easy to recover from, because not only was it late, but it was also a long, hard grind with King. Coric clearly has less tools to work with, but he will make Zverev work hard for this one. Both guys definitely favor their backhand, and it will likely come down to who is willing to step around and attack on the forehand side. Zverev’s forehand is better technically, so I think he will get through this. But it’s not going to be easy…nor pretty. Zverev in 4: 7-6(3), 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(5).
[polldaddy poll=9818946]
(16) Lucas Pouille vs. Jared Donaldson
Ricky: Pouille has been losing left and right to Americans this season, and he has been losing to just about everyone of late. The Frenchman’s victory over Ruben Bemelmans on Monday was his first since the opening round of Wimbledon, a stretch that saw him fall to Donaldson 7-6(5), 7-6(8) in Montreal. The 20-year-old American, on the other hand, is playing far the best tennis of his young career. Donaldson struggled physically at the end of his round-one win over Nikoloz Basilashvili, but he should prevail as long as he is 100 percent. Donaldson in 4: 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Joey: Donaldson has needed almost two years to get used to tour level, but he’s all but there now. Weapons are obviously not the problem and his rally ball is above average. Pouille has had a disappointing year by all measures; he had a big opportunity to step up into the top 10. While Donaldson won the match Montreal, I felt Pouille really let that slip and was in control of points. Donaldson will need to have a good start to win this best-of-five encounter. If not, Pouille will make him hit too many balls. Pouille in 4: 7-6(4), 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
[polldaddy poll=9818679]
(23) Mischa Zverev vs. Benoit Paire
Ricky: Paire was almost as bad as his fellow Frenchman Pouille in between Wimbledon (where he reached the fourth round) and the U.S. Open. That stretch included a horrific 6-2, 6-1 loss to Mitchell Krueger in Cincinnati. Paire managed to beat lucky loser Lukas Lacko on Monday, but he will need to do a lot more than just beat Lukas Lacko in order to restore any confidence. Zverev has cooled off since a hot start to the year, but his serve-and-volley tactics will likely frustrate Paire to no end. Zverev in 4: 7-5, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
Joey: You know those matches that are destined to be five-setters but end up being flops? For me this falls in that category. Paire and the word “reliable” obviously do not go together, but the Frenchman has been playing some good tennis this year. And after a big start to 2017, Zverev’s singles has not been great. If you have not seen the elder Zverev play in person, you might not realize just how awkward his forehand is. Combine that with the disaster that is Paire’s forehand and there will be some hilarious errors in this match. I just don’t see Zverev winning enough free points to get through service games. Paire in 3: 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.
[polldaddy poll=9818684]
I think these young guys show flashes of brilliance, but their consistency is just total crap.
Consistency is what helped the big 4 become the big 4.
Anyway, Nadal is the only seed in his eight. His opponents are dropping like flies; Tommy Paul out, Berdych out, Fognini out, Dimitrov losing atm.
I hope Dimitrov loses today. Fed too. Rafa will get a free pass upto the finals
🙂 ?
Don’t know what happened to Dimi, he’s just trying to outhit the 19yo from the baseline, not even trying something different when he’s not winning.
Let Dimi play the way he is playing and hopefully he continues to lose…lol
Yes I am with atul! Let’s see if this young guy Rublev can close it out.
Rafa has a good shot of winning imo if he can get back to good form (like AO time and not Montreal/Cincinnati).
I think he can at LEAST make semi’s.
By the way after Tiafoe-Fed, Bing predicts Rafa has the best chance to win USO 🙂 . Before it was 1. Fed, 2. Rafa
Rublev is up a break in the third set.
Rublev needs to win two more games to get the win over Dimi.
Rublev wins! Another contender is out!
And dimitrov crashes! I’m liking Nadal’s chances to make it to at least semi’s! If he wins semi’s, then he’s winning the tournament.
Rublev is such an asshole I don’t get why people want him to win. He’s raged, cussed, tried to intimidate his opponents. Maybe he’s gotten better but I don’t know. I hate his temper. Seems like a total brat not gonna lie. This is a horrible loss for Grigor.
Zverev and Dimitrov win masters titles before the US Open. They both lose second round in one of the most open slams in so long. Freakin crazy. What is this tournament. We got Fedal semis for sure now I’m hyped.
Not so fast… Fed is one set all against a guy he is 16-0 against! I don’t care what anyone says- he absolutely does not look healthy. He looks really stiff and old.
Now he’s about to lose the 3rd set. I seriously can’t believe this. I was all set to see him AND Rafa, not just Rafa, on Saturday. I have day and night session tix. But now I will not get to see Fed… AND I had to put my beloved cat down today. Just not my day. Could be a lot worse, I suppose.
It’s not over until the fat lady sings.
Where is Sanju? Didn’t he say that Fed was the favorite now to win the USO? I didn’t get that. He certainly is not okay. I never thought Youzhny would make a match out of it.
Fed is down two sets to one. So it means going five sets if he is going to win. The back can’t be okay.
Kevin,
I am sorry about your cat. It’s hard when you have to put a pet down. Hang in there.
It’s not over yet. Maybe Fed can find a way to come back in this match.
Fed gets the break in the fourth set!
So sorry about your cat, Kevin. And sorry that Roger’s not playing/feeling better. But he may yet pull this one out. Youzhny had to call the trainer so he’s not feeling good either.
I only expected Youzhny to take no more than 4 games.
Somehow, I’m still expectING Fed to win.
So am I.
And Federer loses the third! I smell an upset…
Way too many UFE from Federer
Fed’s back is compromised for sure
yup
what a save from Youzhny!! 4-5 deuce!
It’ll take a miracle for Roger to win the event at this point. If Rafa doesn’t win this tourney, it’s a missed chance unless it’s a loss in the semis to a rejuvenated Fed which seems unlikely right now. If Fed escapes Youzhny, I dunno if he can beat Lopez next round. With Berdych and Dimitrov out of the way and Fed looking this shaky it’s Nadal’s tourney to lose unless Cilic or Fed catches fire. Cilic catching fire looks a LOT likelier.
agreed
Fed’s more animated now and takes the set 6-4. If I were a Fed fan, though, I won’t have too much confidence going into the fifth. He should win now but he is still vulnerable.
It’s like the walking wounded in this match. Youzhny aggravated whatever was bothering him when he fell after going for a shot. Fed doesn’t look 100% to me at all.