Rafael Nadal is an action again at the U.S. Open following a second-round walkover. He’ll take on Hyeon Chung. A resurgent Gael Monfils is also taking the court in the third round on Saturday as he faces Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
(2) Rafael Nadal vs. Hyeon Chung
It’s hard to imagine Nadal’s first week to be much more favorable. The Spaniard absolutely pummeled John Millman in the first round. He was set to meet Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round, but the Australian withdrew with a shoulder injury. So it’s into the third round Nadal goes, having been on court exactly two hours and eight minutes.
Chung has a slightly different story to tell of his first week in Flushing Meadows. Chung is ranked 170th in the world thanks to a back injury. He was forced to come up through qualies and he has a pair of five-set matches in his first two rounds. He had an excellent upset win over Nadal’s countryman Fernando Verdasco in the second round…but Verdasco is no Rafael Nadal.
Nadal, who was already sharp in the first round, will come in well-rested and with a 2-0 head-to-head record over the South Korean. With his half of the draw wide open, the world No. 2 surely has his sights set on another U.S. Open title. Expect a ruthless display from Nadal.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3
Ricky pick: Nadal in 3
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(13) Gael Monfils vs. Denis Shapovalov
One of the more intriguing third-round matches features the French veteran Gael Monfils–who entertains the crowd each time he steps on the court–and Shapovalov. It will be the first meeting for the two men. Injuries are a constant concern for Monfils, but when he’s healthy and playing well, as he seems to be so far in New York, he’s a contender for a deep run.
Monfils comes into the third round off a pair of impressive straight-set wins over Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Marius Copil, but neither of those players has the fire power of Shapovalov.
Shapovalov has been in excellent form so far in New York, though he missed seeding by one spot (he’s ranked 33 in the world). The Canadian gave his 18th-seeded countryman Felix Auger-Aliassime a shellacking in the first round, then dispatched Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen in straight sets in the second set. He has served particularly well so far in New York.
Monfils has the higher seed, but given Shapovalov’s form this isn’t likely to be a walk in the park for the favorite. Expect a hard-fought match with plenty of impressive shot-making.
Cheryl pick: Monfils in 5
Ricky pick: Monfils in 4
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Rafa in 3.
Monfils in 4 or 5
Rafa in 3; Monfils in 4.
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Scrappy from Nadal thus far.
A win is a win, but Rafa will have to pick it up v Isner/Cilic. Vamos!
Rafa was so bad Ramara / Atul..it’s straight sets ? What was bad ?
Is moya with Rafa in New York ?
Yes, Moya is.
Rafa was scrappy but he won in straights and broke in each set. Scrappy bcos his first serve % was low, in the forties i think! But Rafa is Rafa, he knows he has to play better in the upcoming rounds.
Vamos, Rafa!!
Nadal was a little off, something I attribute to the walkover in the last round. He’s a creature of habit…he was just a little out of rhythm in my opinion. Certainly not at his vicious best, but far from the worst.
Just 51 percent first serves is atrocious..wonder what’s with that..djokovic n Federer will kill him if he puts that percentage.
Chung is a tricky player n Rafa won in 2 hours..so I guess we should be fine..
Next up is a really tough one cilic..hope Rafa is prepared..after that Diego or zverev..mostly Diego I guess…he has given Rafa nightmares always
Cilic will be okay guys for Rafa to handle ?
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Rafa was hitting his first serve much harder than usual, which I assume is why the % was unusually low. The % and the rest of his game improved steadily as the match went on and by the end he was cracking his forehand nicely. He faced no break points at all. My guess is he was a bit “undercooked” since he got a 2nd round walkover.
Cilic may be a tougher match or not. Cilic isn’t looking great and won because Isner looked worse, especially on break points.
Anyway, Roger and Novak don’t look any special either. I see a number of guys playing a lot better than the top 3 at the moment! But when it comes to crunch time they seem to always be able to deliver!! That’s y they are the top dogs!!
I do think that the walkover contributed to Rafa’s serving being off. You don’t see Rafa getting in only 41% of first serves. He was lucky that he was not facing someone who could have taken advantage of it. Rafa needs to play! No more walkovers!
Rafa will know that he has to play better against Cilic.