U.S. Open R2 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Tiafoe, Simon vs. Rublev

Alexander Zverev is coming off another Grand Slam five-setter and will clash with Frances Tiafoe in the U.S. Open second round on Thursday. Meanwhile, an in-form Andrey Rublev takes on French veteran Gilles Simon after both surviving tough openers.

(6) Alexander Zverev vs. Frances Tiafoe

The No. 6 seed Alexander Zverev seems to encounter American Frances Tiafoe in bigger events. The two men have met in two majors (the Australian Open and Wimbledon) and two Masters events (Cincinnati and Paris). Zverev won 3 of the 4, dropping their meeting at the Cincinnati Masters. It’s not a surprise, really. Zverev broke through more successfully than Tiafoe did, with the American coming on in the middle of 2018. Yet Zverev’s success hasn’t translated to the majors very well.

The German’s success at the slams has been limited. He has a couple of quarterfinal showings in Paris, but other than that, it has been early losses. Tiafoe is ranked 45 in the world, down from a career high No. 29 earlier this year. He has had a rough patch this spring and summer, with a series of early losses. He finally had a decent result in Winston-Salem where he went out to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarters.

Zverev has displayed better form in his first round match than he has for much of the summer. Though there is always a danger of going off the boil, Zverev heads into this match as the favorite.

Cheryl pick: Zverev in 4

Ricky pick: Zverev in 4

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Gilles Simon vs. Andrey Rublev

If Daniil Medvedev is the talk of the summer with his 3 consecutive finals, his countryman Andrey Rublev has been an interesting post script. The young Russian dispatched Roger Federer in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, and he upset the struggling No. 8 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first round match this week. Gilles Simon actually has the ranking edge at No. 40 to Rublev’s 43, but the Russian has really hit his stride this summer.

Simon owes his ranking spot to an out-of-nowhere run to the finals at Queens Club. But since then, he doesn’t have much to show for his efforts. He won a couple of matches in Eastbourne, one at Wimbledon and no others until his first round win over world No. 117 Bjorn Fratangelo on Tuesday. It should also be noted that Simon’s win over Fratangelo was 5-7, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, not exactly routine.

With the way Rublev is playing, it’s hard not to consider him the favorite to get through this depleted section of the draw. Short of nerves (which are always a possibility), the Russian should advance.

Cheryl pick: Rublev in 4

Ricky pick: Rublev in 4

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