Ricky Dimon of The Grandstand and Steen Kirby of Tennis Atlantic make their picks for four of the best matchups on Day 6 of the U.S. Open. Kei Nishikori, Diego Schwartzman, Marin Ciic, and Alex de Minaur are among those on the schedule.
(13) Diego Schwartzman vs. Kei Nishikori
Ricky: Nishikori leads the head-to-head series 2-0, having come back from a set down on each occasion. This one should be competitive, as well, as Nishikori is in fine form (and–more importantly–healthy) and Schwartzman was a 2017 U.S. Open quarterfinalist. The problem for the Argentine is that they have very similar styles and Nishikori does just about everything a little bit better. Nishikori in 4: 4-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
Steen: Both players are undersized ball-strikers with impressive baseline movement, making this a matchup of strength vs strength. Nishikori is the better player when he’s on his game and given the smooth path he’s had so far I have him advancing into week two. Nishikori in 3.
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(7) Marin Cilic vs. Alex de Minaur
Ricky: This has the potential to be really, really good or really, really bad. It depends on Cilic. De Minaur will certainly bring his Lleyton Hewitt kind of fight to the table, but how far that will take him against Cilic remains to be seen. The 2014 U.S. Open champion has been inconsistent this summer, but he can be dominant when he’s at his best. He has won his last four sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-0, and 6-0. Thus De Minaur could be in trouble. Cilic in 3: 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.
Steen: De Minaur is playing well and he’s a pesky opponent, but Cilic hasn’t been challenged through two matches and he’s simply the better player at this surface–and at this point in their respective careers. The young Australian would be happy just to secure a set. Cilic in 3.
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Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. (4) Alexander Zverev
Ricky: These two Germans had to face each other in the 2015 U.S. Open first round, when Kohlschreiber outlasted an inexperienced Zverev in five sets. Fast forward three years and the situation has obviously changed. Look no further than their head-to-head history to find out how. Zverev once trailed it 2-0 but has reeled off routine wins over Kohlschreiber in each of the past two seasons. Another straightforward affair should be in store on Saturday. Zverev in 3: 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Steen: Kohlschreiber has a head-to-head win at the U.S. Open (2015) against Zverev. but their fortunes have changed since then. Zverev is now a top-five player, while Kohlschreiber is only occasionally a threat against the ATP’s best. Credit to Kohlschreiber for finding form to reach round three, but given Zverev has yet to drop a set he should avoid slipping on a banana peel here. Zverev in 3.
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Ricky: Goffin just made relatively routine work of Robin Haase in the second round and I can’t think of two more similar players than Haase and Struff. Moreover, Goffin is sweeping the head-to-head series against the German 3-0 and has lost only one set in the process. As long as Goffin is 100 percent (and that appears to be the case), the Belgian will be 4-0 after this one. But Struff is playing well so I’ll give him a set. Goffin in 4: 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Steen: Goffin’s head-to-head record and current form makes him a heavy favorite against Struff. Struff has advanced through weak opposition to make it this far, while Goffin put away an in-form Haase in round two. Goffin easy is the safest choice. Goffin in 3.
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WWW?
Anyone watching the Cilic De Minaur match? Now into the fifth set, didn’t get to watch the first four sets, is the youngster that good?
Yes, these last three games have been unreal. De Minaur is just fighting his for life and hitting unbelievable shots over and over. Cilic has gotten a little tight, but like you, I have only seen this set, but from the looks of it, De Minaur deserved to take that two set lead. Absolute baller with a champions attitude. And he is soooooooo fast!!! What a match…
De Minaur was down 2-5 0-40 haha this kid is ridiculous. Something about the US Open seems to always produce the most electrifying matches. Especially on courts like Louis Armstrong. There’s just nothing quite like it.
Totally agree! LOVE this kid!! Looks like he’s at the end now though. 🙁
Cilic wins it!! What. A. Contest. Amazing hitting until the very end. De Minaur is really a great young talent. Only 19 years old. Cilic just hit so many good shots down the stretch as well. It’s really nice to see Marin make this kind of comeback after the unsettling way he lost that two set lead to Pella at Wimbledon (more like lost it to the rain that is)
Wow! I think the next gen has almost arrived! Khachanov, Shapo and now Di Minaur, and we have Coric remaining, only one surviving into the fourth round, to face Delpo.
They certainly pushed the top ten guys to the limit. Lets see how Coric fares against Delpo on Sunday.
I saw the last two sets. From what the commies said, Cilic adjusted his game plan after losing the first two sets. At first the kid was getting pushed way back behind the baseline. He did move up some and ran like hell. Amazing stamina for his age! Or any age. Great heart, great fight. The whole stadium was pulling for him.
Gotta love Alex de Minaur. He played great the first two sets, but Cilic adjusted and deserves a lot of credit for not giving up. De Minaur defintiely has heart and grit. He’s fast as they come but he lacks a big weapon. A Goffin-type player with more fire in the belly.
Gotta love Alex de Minaur. He played great the first two sets, but Cilic adjusted and deserves a lot of credit for not giving up. De Minaur defintiely has heart and grit. He’s fast as they come but he lacks a big weapon. A Goffin-type player with more fire in the belly.
Disappointed for De Minaur but he played a great match.
Because of his height/build you’d think he’ll always be up against it in this game, ala guys like Goffin or Ferrer. However he certainly has heart and some skills to go with it. Very fast around the court, good reflexes, solid defence, and fast hands. I find the timing particularly impressive, the way he can take the ball early and change directions is great to watch.
Makes sense to have Rusty Hewitt in the box as they’re similar players in a lot of ways.
Yup, happy for Hewitt that he finally has a player after his own heart but with a better temperament than Rusty started with. The little Deminator did smash one racket but mostly he just kept his head down and went to work.