After getting their first-rounders in under the Arthur Ashe roof, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will continue their U.S. Open campaigns when second-round action resumes on Thursday. Nadal has a date with Taro Daniel, while Federer is going up against Mikhail Youzhny.
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Taro Daniel
Nadal began his bid for a third U.S. Open title on Tuesday, when he got off to a slow start against Dusan Lajovic but recovered from an early break down in the first set and eventually cruised 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-2. Thus continued a stellar 2017 campaign, highlighted by a 10th French Open triumph and a return to the world No. 1 ranking (Nadal regained it two weeks ago following the Cincinnati Masters). The top-seeded Spaniard is 50-9 this season, but he bowed out early at Wimbledon to Gilles Muller and did not play great in either Montreal (lost to Denis Shapovalov) or Cincinnati (lost to Nick Kyrgios), so the jury is currently out on his form away from clay.
Up next for Nadal on Thursday is a first-ever meeting with Daniel. The world No. 121 from Japan took a much more circuitous route to the last 64, requiring five sets to outlast Tommy Paul 6-1, 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday. Because of Tuesday’s rainout on all courts other than Ashe, Daniel also has one less day than his opponent with which to recover. The 24-year-old is now 4-8 at the ATP level this season and 3-7 lifetime in the main draws of Grand Slams. A massive step up in competition should bring about a swift end to Daniel’s fortnight.
Pick: Nadal in 3 losing 8-10 games
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Mikhail Youzhny vs. (2) Roger Federer
Federer and Youzhny will be facing each other for the 17th time in their careers on Thursday. This is one of the most lopsided matchups on tour, as Federer is sporting a perfect 16-0 record in the head-to-head series. He is also 37-4 in total sets at Youzhny’s expense, including 12-1 at Grand Slams. The U.S. Open is the only major at which the two veterans have never squared off, and they have not met at all since February of 2015 in Dubai. Federer is 14-1 in total sets against the Russian dating back to the second set of a 2011 Wimbledon encounter, won by the Swiss 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Whereas the 36-year-old did not donate a single set on the way to capturing an eighth Wimbledon title last month, things look like they could be more difficult for him in New York. Federer struggled with a back issue in a recent Montreal final loss to Alexander Zverev and he has already dropped two sets at the U.S. Open, needing five to fight past Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 on Tuesday night. Youzhny benefited from a favorable draw against Blaz Kavcic and took care of business 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon. The 35-year-old is still a dreadful 9-18 this season and toiling away at No. 101 in the rankings. Federer may not be 100 percent, but if he is even close to full stretch he will likely make mincemeat out of Youzhny yet again.
Pick: Federer in 3 losing 8-10 games
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who ya got?
nadal in 3 losing 8-10, fed in 3 losing more than 10
Fed in three losing 11-14 and Rafa in three losing 8-10
Federer and Nadal, both to win (mostly in 3, 4 possible).
Going with ML (in multi-bets mostly=low odds -2700 Fed, -5021 Nadal! wow!),-1.-2 or more(-4 to -6) in LB for both! More research needed b4 betting!
Over can be pushed by both the underdogs Youzhny and Taro as both Federer and Nadal are not in top form, yet. They are still in building (form) mode!lol
Keep your mind focused, remain confident and be strong, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIlB0gjWsAIYXDL.jpg
Fed is not moving well, very stiff. But he still has massive presence on court which helps.
Fed intentionally making this match a joke, ultra low intensity.
Fed will lose, if not in this match then the next round. He is not 100%
I dunno if he will for sure lose. He just isn’t as heavy a favorite as he would’ve been at the start of the tournament.
there is no way this Fed is going to beat Rafa, moreover to win third slam.
Rafa will make him a journeyman if he plays in semis. most likely Fed would be out before qf.
He’s definitely going to be completely worn out if he even manages to make it to the semis, especially if he keeps playing 5-setters. I wouldn’t be surprised if he withdraws if his back is as bad as it seems. I hope he doesn’t yet, though, because I have tix for Saturday night and day sessions. 🙂 As for Rafa, if he can’t win a non-clay major again here at this US Open with this ridiculous draw, then it’s hard to imagine he ever will. He came so close in AO, I can’t imagine he won’t get it done at US Open at this point…
Yeah not if Daniel knocks out Nadal ??
Lopez will be a challenge.
vr,
You think Lopez has a chance against Fed? I can’t believe that Fed would want to play five set matches back-to-back.
Lopez may be a challenge but I think Lopez will bow down to Fed in the end, Fed will win in four of five sets.
Fed will most likely be meeting Kohl in the fourth round and the same thing will happen. Funny that Fed is meeting all those guys whom he has >10 vs 0 H2H – Ferrer at Montreal now 17-0; Youzhny now 16-0? Feli is 14-0? vs Fed now? Kohl too?
Not easy to predict Fed’s matches in this tournament. If he brings the intensity he had in the fourth set onward, he will be able to beat both Lopez and Kohls without too much trouble. However, his level has wavered so much and I don’t think it is normal. The only way to gauge is to watch his next performance. If he puts together a clinical performance against Lopez, then he will start talking about his chances to win the title.Right now it is just too uncertain in my opinion. I do agree with the fact that Both Lopez and Kohls might crumble under pressure.
He already has
I’ll be very surprised if Federer makes it past Lopez and/or Kohls.
But all I’ve seen are the scores. Fed certainly is having to work hard. Are his back/knees, all body parts working? Glad I didn’t pick him to win the title!
Rafa definitely gets his 16th slam here. He would face no opposition for the rest of tournament.
there will not be any other second scenario. Baby Fed is gone, old Fed is hurt but trying to show he has fun in post match interview. Having fun after playing two five sets in round 1 and 2? Too much fun maybe ?
Fed will have easier time with Feli! There will be no long rallies as Feli tends to play S&V game and Fed will destroy him with his passing shots! I think Feli is no challenge for Fed!
Don’t think Fed is hurt though! He’s simply overplayed and it hurts his age…but with such weak opponents even Fed who makes 60+ UEs can advance! Fed still hitting high number of winners…
He said the back was still a little iffy against Tiafoe and that’s why he was moving gingerly. I don’t think Fed aged that much since Wimbledon. The back is definitely affecting him.
Who’s the lowest ranked player left? This tournament has been so topsy turvy you might want to put some money on him!
And what makes anyone assume that Rafa is immune to injury and nerves?
It’s unbelievable – so many of my picks are gone! Especially Sascha ?
Anyone watching Rafa v Daniel?
Thank goodness I picked Rafa to win the title. err, maybe… I have never watched this guy Daniel play.
yup, I am watching Ratcliff!
Rafa has come out playing SO MUCH better today. He is hitting his forehand more aggressively and of course more cleanly. I see significant improvement in all aspects of his game so far.
This lad Daniel has done a remarkable job so far to hang with Rafa.
Thank goodness this guy’s serve is a bit under-developed.
No kidding vr! Daniel with a serve weapon would be dangerous. He’s hanging with Rafa.
What? Daniel breaks…
Rafa better step on it fast!
Except for one point, this has been a weak game from Rafa and a pretty solid from Daniel. 30-40!! 4-4 Rafa serve
Lol I jinxed it. Bad forehand error on break point. This game had a bit of a lapse and Daniel took advantage.
What on earth is going on with Rafa? How can he possibly let this kid get the better of him?
Hi Nny,
My cast is off and I’ve been working this week. Wow, did I miss some upsetting matches! Sascha 🙁
Vamos Rafa!
Daniel has likely been playing at his best level ever. Expecting him NOT to keep this up.
I am disgusted! This is too much for me! This kid wins the first set? I am not watching this anymore. Done.
Well, I can understand. No way is Taro Daniel beating Rafa. Rafa is just getting warmed up. Maybe waiting for the kid to wear out some.
Never mind Cilic might be the title favorite. All I know is if this doesn’t justify the fact that this US Open is the craziest then I don’t know what does. One set to love Daniel. WHAT?!
How the heck did Rublev beat Dimitrov??
Rafa standing way outside the baseline. Looks like he is playing John Isner. The biggest irony of the game of tennis is that Rafa And Djoker both have two US open titles. Djoker is a hard court specialist whereas Rafa plays clay court tennis on hard courts. Fed with broken back should be more of a handful for Rafa provided they both meet.
Trust a Fed fan to come in here and take a cheap shot at Rafa!
Wait a sec. Am I the Fed fan?? I didn’t take a cheap shot at Rafa!! He’s losing to Taro Daniel I just expressed shock at it. Cilic absolutely crushed Mayer and looked highly impressive. Based off that performance it’s not crazy to put him ahead of Fedal as the favorite here if u look at their form as well. And Cilic seems healthy again based off his match against Mayer. I think he made a crazy smart move skipping the hard court masters.
Wait u might be talking to fedexal I’m not sure. Sorry if I assumed wrong
nopes, the only absurdity here is people thinking that staying back to return serve means defensive tennis. LOL