U.S. Open Day 6 picks, including Isner vs. Kohlschreiber and Robredo vs. Kyrgios

Ricky: Isner vs. Kohlschreiber. U.S. Open. Third round. Again. Kolschreiber won the first one (2012) in five sets in the latest finish (2:26 a/m.) in U.S. Open history (tied). He won the second one (2013) 7-6 in the fourth. Isner had been in amazing form leading up to each of those U.S. Opens. This time around, that has decidedly not been the case. What he has enjoyed, though, is much more rest. Combine the lack of wear and tear with two unusually quick wins (both straight-setters) this week for Isner, and what you have is Isner’s turn to prevail in this always-entertaining matchup. Isner 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

Steen: Both players had little resistance in their first two matches, and yet again they will do battle in the U.S. Open third round. For two consecutive years, Kohlschreiber has knocked Isner out of the tournament and the American is looking to end that streak this time. Both players have struggled with poor form at times, but Isner’s ankle seems fine and Kohlschreiber is the toughest opponent the American has faced so far. The German has proven that he can blunt Isner’s serve with some quality returns and force longer rallies. So this will be competitive, but Isner should pull through this time around. Isner 6-4, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6.[polldaddy poll=8274103]

Nick Kyrgios vs. (16) Tommy Robredo 

Ricky: You know those guys whose matches you can never get right? For me, it’s Ernests Gulbis. He wins when I pick him to lose and loses when I pick him to win (see this tournament as just one of many examples). Not some of the time. Every time. I think Kyrgios may be the next in line. I had him losing to both Mikhail Youzhny and Andreas Seppi. So I’m not making the same mistake with the 19-year-old Aussie against another grizzled veteran. Kyrgios has been awesome this week, while Robredo needed five sets–and a bad call–to get past Simone Bolelli. Kyrgios 6-1, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6.

Steen: I’ve been conflicted on picking this match since both players booked their places in the third round, but I’m going with the gutsy and aggressive young Kyrgios over the wise warrior Robredo. Robredo was pushed to his limit against Bolelli in round two, and though he engineered a great momentum-shifting comeback, I think that match will take something out of a guy who has been on tour for quite some time. Kyrgios, meanwhile, bounced back well from a big round-one win over veteran Mikhail Youzhny. It should be a great match to watch featuring some great tennis and likely going five sets. I’m going with Kyrgios to be fresher in the end, thus seizing a final advantage. Kyrgios 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
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(9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Pablo Carreno Busta 

Ricky: This could have been Tsonga vs. Benoit Paire. That would likely have been more exciting, although almost certainly a similarly routine result. This may not be the Tsonga of Toronto on display, but it also isn’t the Tsonga of 2014 prior to Toronto. Anything in between will be more than enough to take care of Carreno Busta on a fast hard court. On clay, this would be interesting. Tsonga 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Steen: Tsonga is likely pleased to see how Andy Murray has been below-average in the first couple of rounds and he’s chomping at the bit to meet him in the round of 16. But he can’t look past Carreno Busta, who against the odds has won his only two hard-court matches of the 2014 season at the U.S. Open to reach the third round. Tsonga surprisingly dropped a set against Juan Monaco in the opening round, but it’s highly unlikely he will struggle with so much to play for. Tsonga in a non-blowout straight sets is my pick. Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.[polldaddy poll=8276146]

Andrey Kuznetsov vs. (8) Andy Murray 

Ricky: Kuznetsov has displayed impressive talent for many years now (even though he is still just 23), and he has put it together on occasion in Grand Slams. But consistently? No. The Russian stunned David Ferrer earlier this summer at Wimbledon then promptly flamed out to Leonardo Mayer (an extremely beatable opponent, especially on grass) in straight sets. Kuznetsov ousted Fernando Verdasco in five sets on Thursday; now comes the hard part. Although this does not say much, Murray improved considerably from the first round to the second. Murray 7-5, 6-3, 6-0.

Steen: Kuznetsov has reached the third round of two consecutive slams now and he had a highlight-reel performance against a declining  Verdasco in round two. Murray was not pretty to watch in either of his first two matches, including a notable cramping incident in the first round, but he has pulled himself through and he’s the far more accomplished and talented player here. It’s always possible Murray could lay an egg and Kuznetsov, who is a step up in quality compared to the Scot’s first two opponents, would likely be prepared to capitalize. But I have to go with the favorite here in this situation. Murray 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.[polldaddy poll=8276147]