U.S. Open R2 previews and predictions: Auger-Aliassime vs. Murray, Evans vs. Moutet

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray will get night-session treatment in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday. Dan Evans and Corentin Moutet are also a part of second-round action.

(14) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Andy Murray

This blockbuster U.S. Open second-round matchup on Thursday night almost turned out to be an all-lefty showdown between Yoshihito Nishioka and Thiago Monteiro. But the favorites managed to survive on Tuesday. Murray came back from two sets down and saved a match point to overcome Nishioka 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 6-4. Auger-Aliassime fought off set points in both the third and fourth to beat Monteiro 6-3, 6-7(7), 7-6(6), 7-6(7).

All things being equal, this is not a bad matchup for Murray. Even following hip surgery, the three-time major champion still defends extremely well and can get a lot of balls back to an opponent who remains erratic at his young age. Auger-Aliassime, 20, is inconsistent but also wildly talented. If the Canadian serves well, he will be able to dictate play and force Murray to dig deep into energy reserves that may not be there following such a tough test in round one.

Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4

Corentin Moutet vs. (23) Dan Evans

Evans played well during the coronavirus hiatus, winning the Battle of the Brits to maintain the fine form that had been on display prior to the stoppage. The 31st-ranked Brit has been stellar in the bubble, too, with a 2-1 record that includes a Cincinnati upset of Andrey Rublev and a U.S. Open first-round rout of Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Next up for Evans is a first-ever meeting with Moutet, who trounced Jiri Vesely in straight sets on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Frenchman has already earned seven of his 15 career main-tour match victories in 2020 despite the five-month interruption. This should be a good one, as neither man has the firepower to wipe the other one off the court but both are scrappy and tenacious competitors. A slight edge in current form and Grand Slam experience goes to Evans.

Pick: Evans in 5

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