The U.S. Open hits the ground running on Day 1 with David Goffin and Reilly Opelka in first-round action. Denis Shapovalov and Sebastian Korda will also take the court.
(7) David Goffin vs. Reilly Opelka
The match between Belgium’s David Goffin and Reilly Opelka has the potential to be a real barn burner. Goffin, the No. 7 seed, ran into Opelka last year in Basel. The American just squeaked out the win 7-5 in the third. Their only other meeting was a five-set victory for Goffin at the Australian Open in 2017.
Opelka fared better last week at the Western & Southern Open than did Goffin. The Belgian was upended in the third round by Jan-Lennard Struff, only his second match of the week thanks to a first-round bye. Opelka made his way to the quarters but had to retire because of a knee injury.
If Opelka is healthy, he has plenty of game to give Goffin a scare. Unfortunately for the American, his fitness is for a tough best-of-five match is not a foregone conclusion.
Cheryl pick: Goffin in 5
Ricky pick: Goffin in 4
[crowdsignal poll=10600517]
(12) Denis Shapovalov vs. Sebastian Korda
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov hasn’t had a particularly impressive year. The No. 12 seed hasn’t won more than two matches at any tournament. Most recently, he was dispatched in the second round in Cincinnati by Struff.
His first-round opponent is the young up-and-comer Sebastian Korda. The America is the son of Petr Korda, a former Australian Open champion. Twenty-year-old Sebastian sits at a career high of No. 205 in the world, thanks in part to his success in qualifying last week at the Western & Southern Open. The young American also enjoyed some success on the Challenger circuit before the COVID hiatus.
Shapovalov is the heavy favorite in this one, but Korda may put up enough of a fight to entertain fans for a set or so.
Cheryl pick: Shapovalov in 4
Ricky pick: Shapovalov in 3
[crowdsignal poll=10601101]
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Goffin in 4 (assuming that Opelka only at 80-90%); and Shapo in 3….he looked great in those first 2 rounds of Cinncy.