Rafael Nadal will continue his U.S. Open campaign when he goes up against Vasek Pospisil on Wednesday. Elsewhere in the top half of the draw, John Isner–who also had a routine first-rounder–faces Nicolas Jarry.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Vasek Pospisil
Nadal and Pospisil will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round two of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. Their only previous encounter came three years ago on the hard courts of Beijing, where Nadal prevailed 7-6(3), 6-4. A lack of meetings since then can be attributed to Pospisil’s struggles, as he has been relegated to Challengers at times over the past few seasons. The Canadian is showing signs of reemerging on the main tour with a ranking of No. 88 in the world, but the going has been slow. He is a modest 5-10 at the ATP level during this 2018 campaign following an impressive 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 rout of Lukas Lacko on Monday.
Although Nadal’s opening matchup made plenty of headlines, it was never expected to be competitive–and it wasn’t. The world No. 1 took the first set 6-3 from fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and the 36-year-old eventually retired due to a calf injury for the second. Thus Nadal improved to 41-3 this season, which includes recent titles at the French Open and Cincinnati Masters. The defending U.S. Open champion is 8-0 in his last eight matches in New York and he is 22-2 in his last 24 Grand Slam matches, with one those losses coming via retirement against Marin Cilic in the Australian Open semis. Nothing suggests Pospisil will be able to make this one particularly interesting.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 11-14 games
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(11) John Isner vs. Nicolas Jarry
Isner is nothing if not consistent at the U.S. Open, although he is certainly far from spectacular. In 11 previous trips to Flushing Meadows, he has reached at least the third round an incredible 10 times. Only once, however, has he made a run to the quarterfinals. The key for the 6’10” American is avoiding early-round marathons, something he is often unable to do at the U.S. Open and at every other slam. During his 2011 trip to the quarters, Isner dropped only one set through his first three matches. At Wimbledon this summer, when he delivered a breakthrough semifinal performance, he won two of his first three matches in straight sets. The world No. 11 is off to a fine start in that same effort this fortnight, as he took care of countryman Bradley Klahn 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
Up next for Isner on Wednesday is a first-ever encounter with Jarry, who has been in stellar post-Wimbledon form with a semifinal showing in Hamburg, a semifinal result in Kitzbuhel, and a quarterfinal finish last week in Winston-Salem. The 42nd-ranked Chilean, however, has never put it all together at a Grand Slam; a 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 win over Peter Gojowyczk in the first round was just his second in a main draw of his career. A well-rested Isner, who has not played many matches since triumphing in Atlanta for the fifth time, should pick up another somewhat routine victory.
Pick: Isner in 3
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Rafa did play well indeed. So glad he didn’t lose a set. On Friday, I don’t know whether his match is second in the afternoon or last in the night as the Williams sisters will sure to get the 7pm slot at AA.
Anderson vs Shapo; Delpo vs Verdasco – they may be good matches too so really don’t know who will get AA and which time slot.
Rafa’s match is much better in terms of build up. The opponent is also seeded. I think he should get the AA night time but could get slotted in the day session due to law of averages.
“…due to law of averages.”
LOL.
#DisclaimersAreEverywhere
#HedgingPhobic
Rafa will get the night session after the William sisters. The US Open organizers are smart.
no he wont
Why?
already had 2 night sessions. he isn’t getting a 3rd in a row.
will either be Del Potro, Wawrinka, or isner
This looked good. Rafa seems to be in better shape than last year! His favorite status is certainly deserved, and I’m cautiously optimistic. Who would’ve thought that the once seemingly unattainable US Open would become his most successful non-claycourt major?
I think Rafa may get the second day session; and Delpo vs Verdasco the late night session after the Williams sisters.
I hope Rafa will be able to cope with the heat and humidity during the day if that comes to pass.
Friday is much cooler. Would not matter if he is scheduled to play during the day.
It won’t be hot on Friday, but it will be raining:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york-ny/10007/hourly-weather-forecast/349727
no it wont. Scattered means maybe at most.
Ha, unlike you, I knew after Rafa won USO in 2010 and being runner up in 2011, that the USO would be his next favorite slam after the FO. It’s quite amazing that Rafa had only played one five setter at the USO all along from 2003 to 2013; it’s only when he had his mini slump in 2015 that he started playing more five setters and losing some there. It’s not that he had done badly there, ever since he lost in four sets at R4 in 2007 to Ferrer, he had been reaching at least the SF, or better, there, until his slump in 2015.
The conditions last night were so difficult but Rafa seems to handle NY adversities quite well 😀 poor Pospisil was exhausted at the end, he barely was able to walk due to the weather but also thanks to Rafa’s play forcing him to run and hit hard in order to be able to stay in the rallies! Beautiful tactic and great performance by Rafa! That one game Rafa lost was Rafa errors probably due to lost concentration as he was cruising comfortably….
Rafa will most likely get his share of the day matches on Friday, but that shouldn’t be that bad since the forecast is much cooler weather conditions.
I saw Kachanov play for the set and a half. He hits hard and could sustain in rallies with Rafa for a while. But if Rafa continues to play the way he did yesterday most of the match then there is no problem for Rafa! The tough part I expect will be Delpo who is playing really well…
Vamos Champ!
Thanks for the first-hand account, Natashao and congrats on a great day/night at the Open! I thought Rafa looked great, moved great, and served great, too, except for the one wobble during the game when he broke himself in the 2nd set.