Rafael Nadal kicks off his 2019 U.S. Open campaign against John Millman–who upset Roger Federer last year–on Tuesday. Alexander Zverev may have a tougher test on has hands as he faces unseeded Moldovan Radu Albot.
(2) Rafael Nadal vs. John Millman
In 2018, John Millman made headlines at the U.S. Open by taking out Roger Federer in the fourth round before going out in straight sets to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. He was ranked No. 55 at the time. This year he comes into the U.S. Open ranked No. 60 in the world, due in part to a lackluster 2019 season which has seen him forced to qualify in Montreal…and this year’s U.S. Open draw did him no favors. In 2018, his first-round opponent was Jenson Brooksby, a player ranked No. 1229 in the world (yes, you read that correctly). This year, he faces none other than Rafael Nadal in his opener.
Nadal heads to the Big Apple as well-rested and confident as he could have hoped. The Spaniard defended his Wimbledon semifinal points and then defended his Canadian Open title rather easily three weeks ago. As he often does, Nadal withdrew from Cincinnati citing fatigue following his Montreal title. And while Millman has proven that he knows how to win in Flushing Meadows, it seems unlikely that he will pose much threat to an energized, in-form Rafael Nadal.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3
Ricky pick: Nadal in 3
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(6) Alexander Zverev vs. Radu Albot
Not that long ago, Alexander Zverev was expected to be the heir apparent to the Big Three. However, his continued difficulties at the majors have seen attention focus on Zverev’s contemporaries Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The German, who was the world No. 3 as recently as this April, has never gotten past the quarterfinals at a slam. Indeed, his most recent major result was a miserable first-round exit at Wimbledon. Unfortunately for the Zverev camp, his poor form bled into the North American hard-court swing.
Zverev’s second-round match against Miomir Kecmanovic in Cincinnati featured listless tennis on his part–and perhaps more alarming was notable difficulty with his service motion, as he struggled with the yips. The poor performance may well follow him to New York City…and Radu Albot is a tricky opening opponent.
Albot has had decent results this summer. The Moldovan made the semis in Los Cabos and he won his first-round matches in Montreal and Cincinnati. The world No. 41 isn’t usually a threat to No. 6, but in this case Albot has a real chance. Zverev looks particularly vulnerable headed into this fortnight, and Albot has enough hard-court game to pocket the upset if Zverev’s woes continue.
Cheryl pick: Zverev in 5
Ricky pick: Albot in 5
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WWW?
Zverev in 4.
Nadal in 3
Nadal will beat Millman in 3. Nadal will fine tune his game, and give Millman a lesson in tennis.
Radu Albot can make a surprise.
Rafa in 4; Zv in 3.
I wished Albot would upset Zverev. But I have to be realistic. Zverev in 4. And he will not stop very early at this slam.
I think Sasha may reach R4 and loses to Khachanov.
Holy shit! Zachary Svadja is 16 years old and is here because he won the 18 and under Kalamazoos and is up two sets to love in his opening match. I made my draw this morning in time for the start of matches and I can tell you this. I did NOT expect that.
Keep calm, stay focused, remain confident, be strong and enjoy the game, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EC9UBlsWsAA8zG5?format=png&name=900×900
Sasha playing really well and may win in straight sets. He’s hitting so well both his FH and BH, painting the lines both CC and DTL! Unbelievable! I think this Sasha will beat Rublev if he plays him today; Tsitsipas just couldn’t hit consistently with power without missing, unlike Sasha today.
Hopefully Sasha keeps playing like this, I think he’s getting right back on track, playing tennis the way he’s capable of playing all along.
Sasha derailed again in this match , but I hope he gets through this, after playing so well at the start.
Edmund loses in five to the well-known hard court specialist
Zverev up a break final set but looks tired…
Khachanov out in five sets R1. Wow, I thought he’ll be in the QF but it looks more like Sasha going to the QF instead!
Khachanov may drop out of top ten if he still doesn’t go deep in tournaments, once his Paris Masters 1000 points drop off.
Yeah, Zverev is my QF pick. He will consolidate until then. This match vs Albot could mean the same for him as Fed vs Albot at Miami. Difficult, but meaningful.
These young guys all seem to think that you HAVE to play five sets at the majors. Lot of carnage today…Happy Rafa is through with no more work than is good for him.
Schwartzman is my pick now that Khatch is out (and even before that)
Rafa needs to get these first serves going! AMust!!!!
Looks very humid out there, Rafa sweating like crazy. This Millman, he just grinds and grinds and never let up, the ball keeps coming back at Rafa!
It seems that there are so many players playing this way if they’re not the power hitter kind of players. Rafa was like that in his younger days but he has now outgrown that mode of play, and thankfully so.
It looks like players are learning from Djoko these days, never give up on a point if you’re able to reach it; some players like Chung and Medvedev called Djoko their model player; I think Coric too, not surprising given how successful Djoko is.
Millman it seems has no big weapons but he’ll run the whole day retrieving and returning shots tirelessly.
I think that this could turn out to be Rafa’s easiest path to a slam final in his career. He will be so fresh and ready to rock in the Final. As long as he stays healthy, this will be his best shot at beating Novak at a non-RG slam again. (Assuming Djoko makes it to the Final, which he should, despite a relatively tough draw).
Rafa is in incredible shape. I know Rafa fans are nervous when Rafa is playing because, well, it’s the King of Clay out there. But right now he appears like the King of this HC. Love watching Rafa – never have I appreciated him more. He’s smooth – fast – strong – brilliant.
I don’t need any tums when Rafa is playing – it is completely relaxing and peaceful 😀
Gosh I hope someone takes Isner out! If he meets Rafa that match will drive me nuts!!
Monalisa 😀
No one is going to beat Rafa. Rafa will know exactly how to beat Isner – I have not doubt. Rafa was so humble and adorable in his on-court interview. I hope you got to watch it.
Oh yes, I did! Rafa is always adorable, lol!!
I just want Rafa to have an easy run for a change, ha!
Elizabeth,
I need the tums when Rafa plays! Although last night’s match was stress free because Millman really had no weapons to trouble Rafa. Rafa looked pretty good for jus first match. He is a bit undercooked, having only four matches in Montreal. But I think he got a good match from Millman with some long rallies. It was a good way to start the tournament.
I cannot believe all the young guys who got knocked out again in the first round. The prospect of Rafa playing Isner is not something I am looking forward to at all. An easy draw would not include a match with him.
Nny.
Seems like whenever I get even a bit attached to a young guy, they go sideways – And you never know how long it will be, if ever, that they sort the issues out. Federer got a later start than Rafa, Nole, and Andy because I think I remember he had temperament issues. Nole won 2008 AO but then it took almost 2 more years for him to fix his problems, Andy finally reached greatness, Delpo too, but then those last two had so much physical trouble. Rafa’s knees, off and on. Fedal was the most consistent. Nole became consistent. Rafa had 2015 – which was a weird year for him. Roger had 2013, Nole had a time after he won FO in 2016 that he absolutely lost his spark. But overall it’s the big 3 to count on – at least one of them pulling through in the majors.
So maybe there’s hope for Tsitsipas, Zverev, Thiem, and the like. I knew not to pick FAA because somehow he’s lost his confidence/ is in a slump serving. Hope it doesn’t last long. On the other hand Shapo is heading in a good direction, I think, with Youzhny helping him.
Think of you often down there in Florida. xxo.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
You know Nole better than I do as his fan. You have thought he was struggling with some injury recently. I know when Rafa isn’t right. I do hope that it’s nothing serious with Nole. When I saw some of his first match I thought he seemed out of sorts, but I could not tell if it was physical.
I always worry about Rafa’s knees. On hard courts it’s always going to be tricky for him. It can come out of nowhere. Right now he is healthy and looking good. But I am superstitious by nature. One match at a time!
😉
Nny
It’s tough for me to watch Nole when he’s having trouble tossing the ball up. Appears it’s his left shoulder.
It’s true. Trouble can strike at any time with these players. I don’t like what I’m seeing from Nole.
I do, however, like what I’ve seen of Rafa. And poor Roger – he doesn’t look or sound too good. Maybe he can somehow up his game. If not he won’t last long.
Novak can’t hit a proper backhand – and is having trouble tossing the ball up. I don’t want to watch this but I have to see what’s going on with him. Tums being eaten.
Okay, I’ve seen enough. Novak probably won’t do the right thing and retire. And he’ll want play through to credit Londero, of course. That the right thing to do… huge win for Londero and he is playing well. The better man gets the win.
Oh dear 🙁
Rafa’s all of that! But what makes you think we’re not nervous when he plays on clay!?
Did you see the post match interview on court? Tom Rinaldi was talking about the challenger at Rafa’s academy where Murray is playing this week, and trying to get Rafa to say the name. Rafa calls it “a tournament at the academy” at first. Rinaldi keeps prodding and finally Rafa kind of mutters “Rafa Nadal tournament by Sotheby’s”
Lots of upsets today – I expect everyone’s brackets and bets are in tatters.
Good luck to Djokovic and Federer tomorrow, although I’m sure they well not need it!
I wasn’t too clear, Ramara. It’s impossible for Rafa fans to watch him without at least some initial nerves – no matter what the surface! He simply (for me) was a joy to watch him last evening. And I do want him to win this tournament. Also believe he’s the man to do it. Sure I can understand Rafa fans being nervous about Isner. But haven’t I see Rafa subdue giants with relative ease before? I don’t think serve bots are an issue. Not even Medvedev, who is close to a serve bot – only better, was not a difficult puzzle for Rafa. Rafa is too strong and healthy right now and he knows what to do. He will have taken note of the improvements Daniil made after his Montreal loss to Rafa and know that the guy thinks he can serve aces on second serves. Medvedev is smart but Rafa is more experienced and the best at adjusting. Between Rafa and Moya they will have practiced a plan. Or whoever it is — Nole, Fed, Wawa, O’Reilly, lol anybody. I feel safe and happy with my Rafa pick.
Nole is not completely okay right now. I see it in him. shaking his right arm out – like there is numbness. Fed’s rusty and slow, atm anyway.
On the WTA side, I have no idea who the ultimate winner will be.
Yeah my brackets are in the red. Not going to score high.
But one match I should have put money on was first round: Stephens vs Kalinskaya. I “knew” Kalinskaya would beat Stephens because Kalinskaya is a young fearless ambitious super fit Russian girl – have followed her for awhile and I knew she would pummel the listles, and low energy Stephens. Dang, once in awhile a match comes along where there is money to be made and I feel absolutely certain of it – nobody picked Kalinskaya to beat Stephens. One of these days… I will act upon such a match and $$$$$ capitalize LOL
Never been tempted to bet on tennis. I just like picking a fave and rooting for him/her when watching a match. Having money on it would screw with my head.
Federer was struggling again today, an even slower start than Monday’s! But I think Nishikori is the first real opposition he comes up against and the KNish does not look to be in good shape either.
Watching (not very closely) Venus playing Svitolina atm. I really admire Venus. She just comes out and plays because she loves it, win or lose – and it’s mostly lose for her these days.
Great results in the women’s tennis so far. Both Azarenka and Sharapova lost in the first round and both deserve to never win another tennis match again for their appalling display of ethics. Isn’t it great that karma comes back to bite everyone. #humility #decency #ethics #respect
Venus and Serena Williams are both skating on thin ice also. Venus thinks everyone is a dumb schmuck and couldnt be more patronizing and Serena thinks the world owes her everything and everyone else nothing.
Actually, these 2 have already received their fair share amount of karma also. Serena getting her arse handed to in the Wimbledon may just be the beginning if her attitude doesn’t content to improve.
What do you guys think, Kyrgios is mentally ready to reach the QF? I think he has the game right now. Let’s see if his emotions will not betray him…
First of all, I’m glad that Rafa mastered the first hurdle so easily! Well done!
Second: I’ve said this for a while now, but after Tsitsipas’ loss against Rublev I’m more than ever convinced that Tsitsipas has caught the slump virus, which is currently affecting several young guns. He has lost four times in a row now. Yes, Rublev was a very tricky first round opponent, and I had actually anticipated the possibility of an upset. But this is more now than a string of bad luck. And Tsitsi doesn’t seem to be mentally well prepared to handle his first serious slump since he rose so quickly from virtual obscurity last year. And while he is probably overplayed, this is not all there is to it.
I also find it very regrettable that he accused the umpire of favoritism. But especially Tsitsipas’ anti-french rants are disquieting. Maybe, he spent lately too much time with Kyrgios 😉 It’s not the first time btw that Tsitsipas voiced his concerns about umpire favoritism. While umpires aren’t always as neutral as they should be – which is of course hardly surprising – Tsitsipas still has to learn to harness his feelings, and he needs to put his mental resources into the match and not into a war against the umpire.
Looking back, I have a hunch that Tsitsipas’ difficulties started after he lost his very close match against Wawrinka at the FO. He said himself that he was very down after that tough loss. Since then his results have been decidedly subpar. Although each loss was explainable by itself as an isolated event, he seems to have lost the ability to win close matches and handle setbacks in a mature way.
I hope that he manages to regenerate physically and to regroup mentally for the indoor season. A setback is completely normal at this stage of his career.
I think Tsitsipas is dealing with the increased attention and pressure and expectations that come with rising in the ranks. Being in the top ten with such a quick rise in the rankings has not been a good thing for him. I thought he was mature for his age, but now he is showing a petulant side to him that is very unattractive. Going after the chair umpire like that was just petty. It’s not his fault that Tsitsipas started cramping. Let him work on his fitness.
I dislike the entitled attitude of some of these young guys. Zverev started acting like a diva and then he got into a real slump. We all know about Kyrgios. Now it’s Tsitsipas having meltdowns. He does not seem happy these days and it is showing in his matches.
Its this ‘Next Gen’ thing that’s not helping . Hyping players up when they’re still really only children, then they cant cope with the reality of life on the tour.
I agree. The hype is really toxic. I think that is exactly the problem Tsitsipas is having. He said that he doesn’t feel motivated. It does appear that the reality if life on the tour is difficult. Tsitsipas seemed to come out of nowhere. Too fast. I think he is the real thing, but needs to get his attitude straightened out. He needs perspective and to see the big picture. I hope he works it out. I don’t want to see him go into a slump.