Second-round action wraps up at the U.S. Open on Thursday, when Rafael Nadal and Fabio Fognini headline the schedule. Another intriguing encounter pits unseeded American John Isner against Holger Rune.
Fabio Fognini vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: “Nadal vs. Fognini at the U.S. Open.” And Nadal fans surely do want to stop right there, as the first Nadal-Fognini meeting in New York resulted in one of the Spaniard’s most infamous losses ever. In the 2015 third round, Nadal squandered a two-set lead and ended up losing 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. On the bright side for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, this matchup has gone in his favor for the most part since that blemish six years ago. He has won eight of their last nine encounters, including five in a row on hard courts–most recently via a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 beatdown at the 2021 Australian Open.
Although Nadal is a heavy favorite to improve on his 13-4 overall lead in the head-to-head series, he does appear to be vulnerable at the moment. The 36-year-old dropped his only match in between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to Borna Coric in Cincinnati and he also surrendered a set to little-known wild card Rinky Hijikata on Tuesday night. But is Fognini playing well enough to capitalize? Maybe not. The 35-year-old Italian is saddled with a losing record this season (17-18) and has plunged to 60th in the rankings. He has played 11 consecutive tournaments without advancing past the second round. That is where Fognini finds himself after outlasting Aslan Karatsev in five sets on Tuesday night, and it is likely where his U.S. Open road comes to an end. With a match–and his first win since Wimbledon–under his belt, Nadal should be on course for significant improvement.
Pick: Nadal in 3
John Isner vs. (28) Holger Rune
The Rune-Isner matchup is a much different story, as this will be their first-ever meeting. Somewhat surprisingly, it is Isner who is actually the unseeded player in this contest. The 6’10” American is understandably on the way down at 37 years old, but he remains extremely dangerous–especially on hard courts in the United States. He is coming off a quarterfinal run in Cincinnati, where he upset Hubert Hurkacz before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a three-setter.
Rune is up to No. 33 in the world thanks in part to a breakthrough quarterfinal performance at the French Open. Since then, however, the 19-year-old Dane has a horrendous 3-9 match record–even after beating Peter Gojowyczk in straight sets on Tuesday. Rune would much rather face Isner on clay, too, as that has been by far the youngster’s best surface in the early stages of his career. He already has a history of being unable to physically withstand long matches, so best-of-five situations are not ideal. Isner may not be playing well enough to destroy Rune like he did Federico Delbonis in round one, but the American has to be considered the favorite despite being lower-ranked.
Pick: Isner in 5
Hey Amy!! Plz don’t be upset. I know sometimes we all can be a little testy but it’s all good, we all LOVE LOVE LOVE Rafa and should let that be the thing the binds us! 😀 U have no idea how upset I was when I could not get on this site! Now I’m happy all is back to normal in spite of Rafa”s loss! 😀😝
Wow! Big grats to Karen Khachannov for taking NK out! Never occurred to me that he could do that. May the best man win the tournament!
Nick made a couple of fundamental mistakes.
1. He was talking about winning the title after beating Medvedev. That never ends well because you’re already thinking the job is done after a big win.
2. He came out with a negative mindset.
Khachanov is playing career best tennis right now. It will be interesting to see how he backs up after two 5-setters.
Nny, I am sorry for what I said yesterday. I regretted it straight away.
Mona, I am really sorry you had to go through going to New York to see Rafa and then watch him lose! I really felt for you. That was the background to my getting angry with nny for saying you had been rude when you were just expressing what you felt.
Sanju, your words are wise.
I am writing in brief as I am really desperate to get some work done. Otherwise I would write more. Will try and write later.
Love you all! ❤❤❤
ps this USO is turning into a bit of a farce. It’s very NK to take out Med and then lose to KK. Very unsurprising. And I am disappointed in Matteo.
I want Jannik to win the tournament now.
Hey Amy, hope U get some work done today! 😀
Yes, of course I’m always very disappointed whenever Rafa loses but there is always a risk that he will. In 2008 he also lost to Murray though I didn’t see the match. I’m ok honestly, I’ve been having fun, it’s par for the course. I’m looking forward to Sonner and Alcaraz tonight and will be watching Tiafoe this afternoon on tv. Depending on the line up for the final I’ll try to buy a ground pass so I can watch on live tv. After all, it’s what I came for, the tennis (I lie for Rafa 😂😂😂)!.
As for Rafa, he really has nothing left to prove! He’ll be back! We will be right here again next year doing the same thing for each one of the GSs like we do every year!! But if Rafa chooses to retire tofay, I won’t be mad, he’s more than earned it and his legacy is cemented!! Enjoy the rest of the tennis folks!!!
#vamos!!!
NB
I think the match between Sinner and Alcaraz is pivotal. Sinner has back to back wins so could take it. If Sinner wins the title is still up for grabs because he is inconsistent. But if Alcaraz wins then he takes the title imo. I don’t think anyone apart from Sinner left in the draw can beat him. Especially Kk or Ruud. I don’t think either of them can get close to him.
Mona!!! Good to hear from you!!
R u supporting Carlitos now?!
The stars have aligned for him if he can get past Jannik. But Jannik has been a big problem for him recently.
Off to try and get some work done!😀
I forgot to mention yesterday that Rafa and Mery have been placed under a lot of pressure by the Spanish tabloids recently. First, they camped outside the clinic where Mery was being treated andcame up with false information. Then around a week ago they reported that in 2009 Rafa had had an affair with Shakira.
This is a lot of invasive scrutiny and very unpleasant for Mery who is heavily pregnant with Rafa abroad.
Maybe this also took its toll on Rafa who is a very private and sensitive guy? Seems possible.
Hi Amy!!! I am throwing my support behind Tiafoe 😁. I am not sure who will win this tourney now bcoz tennis can be so unpredictable as we all know. I think most of the predictions for the latter brackets r all in the toilet now 😂 so I’ll just sit back and enjoy what’s left of the tennis. I have tickets for tonight”s matches and so I’m looking forward to watching Swaitek.
As for Rafa and all those rumors it’s no surprise. At least now Rafa can be at Xisca”s side where he should be given the circumstances. Rafa and his wife know all too well that it’s best to ignore the tabloids! Wishing them all the best!! 🙏🏽
amy,
I have been trying once again to get on the site with great difficulty. Thanks for your kind words. Let’s just move on! Thanks to Sanju who cared enough to step in and be the voice of calm and reason.
I am disturbed by the reports about the Spanish media being so intrusive during this private time with Rafa and his wife. It is very unfortunate. I am just happy that Khachanov beat Kyrgios last night. I watched the first two sets. After that I would just check the score online. I saw that Khachanov won the third set. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But then I checked and Kyrgios won the fourth set. I just could not watch it except briefly in the fifth set when I saw Khachanov was up a break. Then I stopped watching. Finally I was going to bed at around 1:00: a.m. and I turned it on to see Khachanov being interviewed by Brad Gilbert. I was so relieved! I don’t know how he did it, but I am grateful! I saw the video of Kyrgios bashing two rackets after he lost. Good riddance!
Now I am okay with whoever of these guys wins. I can just sit back and watch it without any emotional involvement.
Finally this is for Sanju –
You said that you think Rafa is finished winning slams. I don’t think so and here’s why – the way he played at Wimbledon. He was on fire. For someone who had not played on grass in three years, he just was playing brilliant tennis even with an abdominal tear.
If he could play that well, I think he still has it in him. Too many injuries finally. It just all kind of caught up with him. I hope he can take some time and sort himself out and come back one last time.
Again, thank you for caring enough to step in and keep the peace. You are a good soul! ❤️
Oh and I wanted to add that I am with amy in being very disappointed with Berrettini. I expected better from him. I am not sure what is going on with him.
Tiafoe and Rublev are going at it now. Quite a match so far. I am looking forward to seeing Sinner and Alcaraz tonight. I am getting g to like Sinner the more I see of him.
This is for Mona –
I should not have taken what you daud personally. I overreacted in the moment. I am sure that it was disappointing to see Rafa lose. I have been struggling with Rafa’s loss but am putting it in perspective. I don’t think he’s done yet, but if he decides to retire then I have to accept ot. He’s earned the right to make the decision for himself. He gave us as much as he could. He battled injuries all year. He still managed to win two slams and had a deep run at Wimbledon. He left it all out there. We have to be grateful for what he did.
Hey folks!! I’m at the games, watching the girls battle!! It’s a bit chilly tonite but I bought some curry so hope that helps 🤣🤣🤣
Anyway, looking forward to some good tennis in the mens and just wishing the best man wins!
NNY, we’re all good. I love this site to bits and it is expected that we will have little disagreements, we’re human after all. So no worries!!
Now onto my curry!! Vamos!!!
Mona,
Thanks so much! I just did not want to leave it like that. You did not deserve it. You are a good person, with great energy on this site. So I wanted to make it right.
I hope you enjoy the tennis and your curry! ❤️
Group hug !
Curry and chile do tend to go together!
Good night
🤣🤣🤣🤣 @ Anon!!!
Yes, NNY it’s really big of you to want to make things right, I like that!! 😀
Now Swaitek is just making a mess with the field, lol!! I like her though! She’s about to serve for match!
There r so many ppl here tonight!! I guess it’s the quarters but wow there is just a buzz in the air!! Like Tiafoe ppl wanted Pegula to win but that’s just a huge ask!!
Whose staying up with me for the mens? 😁
I am here!
Ok NNY!!
There r fireworks already in this match!! Alcaraz is being Alcaraz and Sinner is being I guess Sinner, lol!
I can’t tell who may clinch this, currently there is not much between them!!
Oh my gosh, Del Potro in in the house!! He looks so handsome!! Very nice!!
Sinner has a match on his hands!! The lack of variety with those players” games will be their downfall!! Sinner clearly can’t bear Alcaraz from the baseline but Sinner does not seem to realize that! And his serves, they need to improve! If not Sinner better be packing his bags!
One a piece!! Some gutsy tennis y”all!! Ppl r leaving at midnight, but I’m staying lol. May not get hope before 5 pm at that rate lol