U.S. Open R3 previews and predictions: Nadal vs. Khachanov, Thiem vs. Fritz

Rafael Nadal and Karen Khachanov are quickly becoming familiar foes, and they will face each other once more in the U.S. Open third round on Friday. Dominic Thiem and Taylor Fritz are also aiming for spots in the last 16.

(1) Rafael Nadal vs. (29) Karen Khachanov

In the past two years, Nadal has played Khachanov four times on three different surfaces (hard, clay, and grass) and the Spaniard has not yet lost a set. The two men last met just a few weeks ago in the semifinals in Toronto, where the Russian kept the match respectably close, but still went down in straights.

Unfortunately for Khachanov, Nadal was still looking for his hard-court groove in Toronto. Based on his impressive performance against Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the second round, Nadal’s hard-court tennis (especially his serve) has kicked into high gear.

Khachanov is quite tall at 6’6”, so Nadal’s topspin forehand does not kick up to shoulder-height on the Russian. Still, Nadal owned the court against Pospisil on Wednesday and if he plays anywhere near the same level he should come through in straight sets.

Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3

Ricky pick: Nadal in 3

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(9) Dominic Thiem vs. Taylor Fritz

This may just be an opportunity for Fritz to find his way into the round of 16. Thiem, the Austrian who has distinguished himself on clay courts, has not performed well off his preferred surface. His results in New York this week are his best on a hard court since the Australian Open in January.

Fritz enjoyed a strong start to the 2018 season but he has struggled of late, as well. He had a good showing at the Indian Wells Masters, where he reached the round of 16; coming into New York, though, he had not won two matches in a row since May.

Thiem heads into the third round off a five-set win over American Steve Johnson, while Fritz’s second-round opponent Jason Kubler retired after going down two sets to one in the brutal New York City heat earlier in the week.

Cheryl pick: Thiem in 4

Ricky pick: Thiem in 4

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