David Ferrer and Nikolay Davydenko will contest their U.S. Open first-round matches on Monday. They are set for respective meetings with Nick Kyrgios and Rhyne Williams.
(Q) Nick Kyrgios vs. (4) David Ferrer
Ferrer and Kyrgios will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they face off in round one of the U.S. Open on Monday afternoon. It has already been a successful trip for Kyrgios, who qualified for the main draw thanks to victories over Greg Jones, Joao Souza, and Malek Jaziri. Ranked No. 1 in the world in juniors, the 18-year-old Aussie captured the Australian Open junior title and he also triumphed in the juniors doubles event at Wimbledon. Kyrgios’ only previous ATP-level, main-draw singles action came at this season’s French Open, where he upset Radek Stepanek then lost to Marin Cilic.
Ferrer’s first half of 2013 was outstanding, with titles in Auckland and Buenos Aires in addition to runner-up finishes in Acapulco, Miami, Oeiras, and at the French Open. Since getting overpowered by Juan Martin Del Potro in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, however, Ferrer has underwhelmed. The fourth-ranked Spaniard got blown out by Alex Bogomolov in his Montreal opener and he lost to Dmitry Tursunov in the Cincinnati third round. Ferrer is vulnerable at the moment, but this is too big of a step up in competition for Kyrgios at this point in his career.
Pick: Ferrer in 3
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(WC) Rhyne Williams vs. Nikolay Davydenko
Davydenko and Williams will also be facing each other for the first time in their careers on Monday. Like Kyrgios, Williams has made a name for himself in 2013. The 22-year-old American has earned all five of his career ATP-level match victories this season and he registers one spot off his career-high ranking at No. 115 in the world. Notable results for Williams include a title at the Dallas Challenger, a second-round performance as a qualifier in Memphis, and a semifinal run on the clay courts of Houston.
Williams has cooled off a bit recently, something to which Davydenko can relate–although for him it has already been a three-year process. The former world No. 3 is down at 42nd in the world and he is a modest 20-20 for his 2013 campaign. Davydenko, now 32 years old, reached the Montreal quarterfinals only to deliver an almost inexplicable retirement against Vasek Pospisil. The Russian then advanced one round in Cincinnati before succumbing 7-5, 7-5 to Juan Martin Del Potro. Showcasing at least decent form this summer, Davydenko should have just enough to hold off Williams.
Pick: Davydenko in 4
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