Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Steen Kirby of Tennis Atlantic make their picks for four of the best matchups on Day 2 of the U.S. Open. Adrian Mannarino may have his hands full with Frances Tiafoe, while Mikhail Youzhny begins his final Grand Slam against Marcos Baghdatis.
Frances Tiafoe vs. (29) Adrian Mannarino
Ricky: At just 20 years old, Tiafoe already has plenty of valuable U.S. Open experience. Although he has never won a match in Flushing Meadows, the fast-rising American lost to John Isner 7-6 in the fifth in 2016 and pushed Roger Federer to five last summer. Mannarino won their only previous meeting 7-6(4), 7-5 two years ago in Washington, D.C., but it is Tiafoe who is obviously a much different player now. The world No. 44 has earned 24 of his 33 career ATP-level match wins this season, including his first career title in Delray Beach. Tiafoe in 4: 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(6).
Steen: Tiafoe could have a good run here at his home slam, and the draw favors him potentially making the third round. Mannarino may be higher-ranked, but Tiafoe has enjoyed the better summer and with the fan support behind him I don’t see this match as being close. Tiafoe in 3.
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Marcos Baghdatis vs. Mikhail Youzhny
Ricky: This is by no means going to be the highest-quality match of the day, but it should be a fun one between two accomplished veterans. Moreover, this is Youzhny’s final Grand Slam (earlier this summer in Atlanta he announced his upcoming retirement)–and this will probably be his final Grand Slam match. The 36-year-old has plunged out of the top 100 with a 6-16 record on the main tour in 2018. Baghdatis has not been much better, but he is three years younger and has showcased some strong tennis at times this summer. The Cypriot has also won two in a row at the Russian’s expense. Baghdatis in 4: 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-3.
Steen: Here we have two veterans who will be hanging up the racket soon. Baghdatis has always been the flair player of the two and should be a slight favorite despite neither one exhibiting good recent form. I’d expect a competitive battle, with Baghdatis dragging himself past the finish line. Baghdatis in 5.
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(22) Marco Cecchinato vs. Julien Benneteau
Ricky: This is a dreadful matchup from a quality perspective. In his entire career, Cecchinato has never won a single ATP-level match on hard courts. Benneteau, meanwhile, has played only one match since Wimbledon and lost it in straight sets to Matteo Berrettini in Winston-Salem–and this is also expected to be the final Grand Slam of his career. In a way that makes this one interesting, and it should also be competitive with neither man looking good enough to wipe the other one away. A slight edge goes to Benneteau based on the surface and because he will want it more, as Cecchinato seems to have rode off into the sunset of his stellar 2018 campaign following the clay-court swing. Benneteau in 5: 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2.
Steen: Cecchinato has not won a hard-court match of any kind since January (Challenger), and despite his ranking edge I’d make him the underdog in this match. Although Benneteau is a shell of the player he once was, I don’t see Italian suddenly pulling himself together on this surface. Benneteau in 4.
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Mackenzie McDonald vs. Robin Haase
Ricky: Now this one should feature some stellar tennis. McDonald is in the midst of a breakout season on tour in which he has earned all six of his career ATP-level match victories and has climbed to 78th in the rankings. The 23-year-old American made a run to the Wimbledon fourth round and lost a late-night thriller against Andy Murray in Washington, D.C. Haase is coming off a quarterfinal performance in Toronto and a third-round showing in Cincinnati. An edge in current hard-court form and experience goes to the Dutchman. Haase in 5: 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-3.
Steen: Haase is in good form and McDonald hasn’t won consecutive matches since June. The Dutchman has always been weak mentally, but he has the game to be competitive with top players and I’d be surprised if McDonald rose up and pulled off an upset. Haase in 3.
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Super predictions! Thank you!