Rafael Nadal will kick off his U.S. Open campaign as the No. 1 seed when he goes up against Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday. An all-Australian affair, meanwhile, pits recent Cincinnati runner-up Nick Kyrgios against John Millman.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Dusan Lajovic
Nadal will begin his quest for a third U.S. Open title, 16th Grand Slam overall, and second this season when he takes the court at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The 2013 champion in New York has not been past the fourth round since, missing the event in 2014, losing a stunner to Fabio Fognini in 2015, and falling in another five-setter against Lucas Pouille last summer. This year’s version of Nadal, however, is turning back the clock. The Spaniard boasts a 49-9 record in 2017 that includes a 10th French Open title and a runner-up finish at the Australian Open.
Up first for Nadal on Tuesday is a second career contest against Lajovic, who trails the head-to-head series 1-0 after losing their only previous encounter 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in the Roland Garros fourth round three years ago. A hard court will obviously give the 85th-ranked Serb a much better shot, but not to the extent that he can be expected to seriously compete or even take a set. Lajovic is a modest 14-15 at the ATP level this season with a pair of quarterfinal appearances at 250-point events (Istanbul and Kitzbuhel). He is 0-8 lifetime against top 10 opponents and 2-21 in total sets. A date with the current world No. 1 is not going to end that trend.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 11-14 games
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John Millman vs. (14) Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios and Millman will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Tuesday. Aside from their country of origin, these two Australians could not be more different. Kyrgios, of course, is a combustible character who is oozing with talent throughout his big-hitting game. Millman, meanwhile, is generally considered to be one of the nicest guys on tour and he gets the absolute most out of himself even though his natural ability is not exactly off the charts. The result is a matchup in which Kyrgios is heavily favored but will have to work extremely hard in points if he is not serving well enough to win a whole host of free ones.
The world No. 17 is coming off a stellar showing in Cincinnati, where he recovered from a lingering hip issue to reach the final before losing to Grigor Dimitrov. Kyrgios had been a mere 2-5 in his seven previous matches, a stretch that included three consecutive retirements. Millman has dealt with physical problems of his own; in fact, the 28-year-old is down at No. 235 in the world mainly because he missed the first five months of this season due to a groin injury. The veteran is just 1-3 at the ATP level in 2017 and he is also a disappointing 1-3 in his last three Challenger matches this month. All signs point to one-way traffic for Kyrgios.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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I feel like Fed will bust by QF’s
bah kyrgios with shoulder pain. I change my previous statement and know think Fed will make it to the semi’s.
R. Nadal vs Richard Gasquet (H2H 15-1).
http://www.tennisexplorer.com/mutual/nadal/gasquet/
That’s the record.
Roger Federer would destiny everyone he meets even if it ends in 5 sets, R. Federer knows what he is doing.
That man is tricky!
That Gasquet win was on the challenger circuit! It is 15-0 on the pro circuit.
A win is a win period! No matter how it’s won or where it’s won.
The H2H 15-1 not 15-0.
http://www.tennisexplorer.com/mutual/nadal/gasquet/
Everyone knows that Rafito is the better player when you compare him to Richy.
15-1 is a horrible record, Please don’t minimize it or argue about, it makes no sense.
#15-1
nope. the atp world tour is the official site and according to that it’s 15-0.
lmao that win isn’t even from pro tennis. I don’t know why you just don’t check the official atp website….
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/fedex-head-2-head/rafael-nadal-vs-richard-gasquet/N409/G628
It’s a Tennis match, the are all tennis.
Should we start discounting some of Rafito’s win or others.
Please don’t argue about this, it’s not worth it and i don’t have the time.
There was an error in my previous comment it Should read “Roger Federer would destroy everyone he meets…”
Well, at least make it accurate. If you’re going to count junior tennis matches (!?!), count ’em all. I know Rafa had a win over Reeshie at that same tournament the following year (Le Petit A’s). No idea how many times they played as juniors or in challengers and futures.
Can you post the link?
And maybe when you do the record might be 16-15.
#16-15!
Are you happy now?
Just kidding!
Am really busy, plzzz don’t make me respond again,
15-1 is a horrible record plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz STOP.
It’s just 1 win, just 1 OK.
Richy deserves some respect even though it’s a horrible record and he lost 2day.
His a good player and a nice person, i think.
Kyrgios just lost to Millman…
Fed is definitely making it to at least semis. I mean who’s stopping him?
Yep. He will have nice little warmups for the semis now. That Tiafoe match will now be his only five setter til the semis I suspect.
kyrgios should have retired but played out two out of respect to a fellow aussie.
RF didnt exactly destroy Tiafo ….
Alison,
Right on! Well said! That was a nail biter right to the end!
I can’t believe Kyrgios lost. So much for being a dark horse contender here.
Alison, Alison(twice),
Whats up Girl?
Whats cooking?
Thanks NNY we will see what happens going forward 🙂
All good thanks Stanley ….
NNY correct me if im wrong, but i coulve swore the press said Monflis was pulling out of the USO *SCRATCHES HEAD* :-/
Alison,
They did? Another one out?
Kyrgios is very frustrating. He seems to only show up when it comes to the top players. This is why I don’t think he will realize his potential. He doesn’t have the commitment and love of the game. He just doesn’t seem focused on the big picture.
Pftt Kyrigios such an amazing player when he bothers to show up, this is what makes it so difficult for me to like the guy ….
Lol my draw is totally done there’s not even a point. Now I’m just gonna check at the very end of the event how I did I guess. At least Fed and Gilles are still in ?♂️
Nick failed to live up to the expectations as usual! I bet he would have played with all enthusiasm if he were meeting Rafa! There is definitely something wrong with his head! I don’t buy the shoulder issue…
You are right he(N. Kyrgios) failed, you are also right there is something definitely wrong with his head but you might be wrong about shoulder.
If he had met R. Federer, Roger would smoke him.
Lol Roger didn’t exactly do amazing in his opener…..
I don’t think you can exactly say that considering both of their performances XD
Very funny!
It’s pretty simple. He’s not fit enough and he shows up for biggest matches because those are the matches he is hungriest to win. He plays better against better players. Not a great quality but I do get it. Today I think was more of a physical issue.
That ball was on the ground, Babos shouldve been given that point ….
Well done Maria Sharapova, Well done baby.
Keep balling!
I am not sure but i think i picked her(M. Sharapova) to lose to my darling Karolina Pliskova.
Sharapova is Amazing but Karolina Rocks, she’ my Girl. My #1 and i am her #1.
Or just give her the match. That would’ve been nice
It’s Maria with a Capital M said the commentator.
Sharapova is on a mission, a mission to prove people wrong.
Yesssssssssssss she made a mistake but she is my baby.
I don’t think she would win #US OPEN but she should reach the semis or Finals.
Vamos my Shakira! Keep shaking it lol!
Am glad that Eugenie Bouchard is out, she has a big mouth just joking, she’s annoying, a snitch and talks nonsense sometimes.
She has a big mouth like Na…Na…Na, my battery is low.
To be completed.
A. Zverev almost lost his first match in Montreal, i think Richy Gasquet had match point but lost.
A. Zverev later won the title.
R. Federer struggled in his 1st match in Australian Open(J. Melzer) but he later won the slam by crushing better player’s.
It’s not wise to underestimate Roger Federer, no player is hotter than he is this year.
If A. Zverev or any other player except R. Nadal wins the US OPEN trophy i will happy but i want R. Federer to win it.
I like Rafito believe me i do but if R. Nadal wins the title we are in trouble.
RAFANS will kill us all, no one will be able to speak against Rafa without their life being at risk lol!
Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Federer win, save us all from annihilation.
Wow- Kyrgios is out! That’s a huge break for both Fed and Rafa.