U.S. Open Day 4 expert picks, including Nishikori vs. Monfils and Tiafoe vs. De Minaur

Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Mert Ertunga of Mertov’s Tennis Desk make their picks for four of the best matchups on Day 4 of the U.S. Open. Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, Frances Tiafoe, and David Goffin are among those in action.

Gael Monfils vs. (21) Kei Nishikori

Ricky: Nishikori leads the head-to-head series 3-1 and it would be 4-0 if not for an absolutely epic comeback by Monfils at the 2017 Toronto Masters. On the bright side for the Frenchman, all four of their previous encounters required decisive third sets–including an incredible three in third-set tiebreakers. This one, though, may not live up to the same standard. Monfils has struggled this year and did not play at all on hard courts this summer prior to the U.S. Open. A double-bagel against Facundo Bagnis in sets three and four on Tuesday is encouraging, but Nishikori is obviously a whole different beast of an opponent. Nishikori in 3: 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Mert: Monfils is a superior athlete not just to Nishikori (who is a terrific one, himself) but also to most every ATP player. He is also superior in rallies from the back of the court. The problem is that he stays a few blocks behind the baseline and can’t take the initiative from five traffic lights away. Nishikori can outlast Monfils only because he will be willing to use all his arsenal rather than only 50 percent like the Frenchman does. It will be Nishikori in a comeback from a set down. Nishikori in 4: 2-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-2.

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Alex de Minaur vs. Frances Tiafoe

Ricky: This should be as good as it gets on Thursday, especially for the tennis die-hards who recognize greatness in future stars of the game that are currently among the ranks of the unseeded. Tiafoe and de Minaur certainly won’t be unseeded at slams for long–not even with 16 seeds instead of 32 on the horizon. While the Aussie was the breakout star of the Australian summer to begin this season, it may be Tiafoe’s turn to do the same at home in the United States on the summer hard courts. He has already reached third rounds in Washington, D.C. and Toronto and he has to be considered a slight favorite to do the same in NYC after ousting Adrian Mannarino in four sets on Tuesday. Tiafoe has more Grand Slam experience, especially at the U.S. Open where he has played five-setters against both Roger Federer and John Isner. Tiafoe in 5: 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Mert: You should never pick against the American at the U.S. Open when two players of roughly around the same caliber play each other. Tiafoe has also put some miles on the wheels on the big stage–at least more than de Minaur has. He also has a bigger game than the Aussie. So…I will go against my own advice and pick de Minaur to win. Consistency will outlast firepower, at least on this day, following a grueling duel. De Minaur in 5: 6-4, 6-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

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Robin Haase vs. (10) David Goffin

Ricky: Although Goffin leads the head-to-head series 5-1, Haase at least managed to win once on clay last year and he also pushed the Belgian to five sets at the French Open this spring. Faster conditions at the U.S. Open will only help the Dutchman, who staged his second career comeback from two sets down at this event when he outlasted Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday. Haase reached the quarters in Toronto and the third round in Cincinnati, while Goffin advanced to the Cincy semis. But the No. 10 seed has rarely been 100 percent physically this season and he will have to do more than beat Federico Gaio in order to prove that he is something like the Goffin of 2017. Haase in 4: 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5.

Mert: If Goffin is healthy enough to finish the match, he should come out on top. Haase, meanwhile, badly needs the first set to have any chance to win this match. The scheduled time of the match will play a role, but only in determining just how comfortably Goffin comes out triumphant. And, yes, I know Haase has had some good wins lately. Still…. Goffin in 3: 6-4, 7-5, 6-1.

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