U.S. Open R1 previews and predictions: Isner vs. Tiafoe, Sock vs. Fritz

Two all-American showdowns will headline the first day of action at the U.S. Open. John Isner and Frances Tiafoe are set to christen a new court on Monday, while Jack Sock is going up against Taylor Fritz.

(20) John Isner vs. (WC) Frances Tiafoe

The first men’s match on the new Grandstand at the U.S. Open will take place when Isner faces Tiafoe during first-round action on Monday afternoon. Isner’s only Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance came at this event in 2011, but immediately thereafter he kept running into the New York City buzzsaw that was Philipp Kohlschreiber. The 6’10” American lost to Kohlschreiber in three consecutive third rounds at the U.S. Open before finally getting back to last 16 in 2015 (fell to Roger Federer). Isner could really use some more success in Flushing Meadows, because his 2016 campaign has mostly been a disappointment. His record stands at just 24-16 and at No. 22 in the world, Isner is now the second-ranked American behind Steve Johnson.

Tiafoe is up to 124th in the rankings (just one spot off his career high), so he is in the discussion for direct entry into the 2017 majors–but he needed a wild card to get into this one. The 18-year-old American has been to four Challenger finals in 2016, but he is just 2-11 at the ATP level during his brief career (1-5 this season). Although this will be a competitive head-to-head matchup in the not-too-distant future, as it stands right now Isner should not have much trouble in their first-ever meeting.

Pick: Isner in 3

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(26) Jack Sock vs. Taylor Fritz

Sock and Fritz will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this year when they clash again on Monday. Their only previous encounter also came in the opening round of a Grand Slam, with Sock prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Australian Open. Fast forward seven months and Fritz, the U.S. Open junior champion last summer, is up to No. 54 in the world with 13 ATP-level match victories to his credit this season. The 18-year-old’s hard-court summer includes a quarterfinal performance in Atlanta and a recent Winston-Salem first-round win over Tiafoe.

Sock’s post-Wimbledon summer has been less than stellar, marred by a decisive Davis Cup fifth-rubber loss to Croatia’s Borna Coric and an immediate exit at the Rio Olympics at the hands of Taro Daniel. The world No. 28 should be hungry for success in New York, and not just because of his recent slump. Sock’s last two trips to Flushing Meadows ended in retirements (in the 2014 second round and the 2015 opening round). Against a younger opponent who still is not used to best-of-five matches, Sock will likely get has campaign started on the right foot.

Pick: Sock in 4

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