U.S. Open R3 previews and predictions: Djokovic vs. Nishikori, Karatsev vs. Brooksby

Familiar foes Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori will face each other again during third-round action at the U.S. Open on Saturday. Aslan Karatsev and Jenson Brooksby are also aiming for a place in the second week.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Kei Nishikori

Djokovic and Nishikori will be squaring off for the 20th time in their careers when they clash in round three of the U.S. Open on Saturday. The head-to-head series stands at a dominant 17-2 in Djokovic’s favor and he has won 16 in a row at Nishikori’s expense. As if those numbers aren’t daunting enough, consider this: they just met at the Tokyo Olympics and the top-ranked Serb rolled 6-2, 6-0–even though he was never at his best throughout that tournament.

Adding insult to injury for Nishikori is the fact that he is coming off a five-setter against Mackenzie McDonald on Thursday. The 31-year-old from Japan prevailed 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-3 after three hours and 57 minutes. He fortunately showed no signs of physical problems, but Nishikori’s injury history is extensive and long matches are never good–especially with someone like Djokovic up next. The world No. 1 endured a sluggish opener against Holger Rune but picked up the pace to rout Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 in round two. Despite their head-to-head history, Djokovic certainly won’t be overconfident or overlooking an opponent of Nishikori’s ilk; he isn’t going to let his foot off the gas.

Pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 8-10 games

(21) Aslan Karatsev vs. (WC) Jenson Brooksby

To say that Brooksby has already made the most of a wild card into the U.S. Open would be a gross understatement. The 20-year-old American is through to the last 32 at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career thanks to four-set victories over Mikael Ymer and Taylor Fritz. Thus continues an incredible 2021 campaign for Brooksby, who was borderline dominant at the Challenger level before making a successful jump to the main tour (including a runner-up effort in Newport).

Even in only four sets, the world No. 99 needed four hours and six minutes to get past Fritz. The good news for Brooksby is that Karatsev spent four hours and 40 minutes on court during a five-setter against Jordan Thompson. Although the 25th-ranked Russian did well to come back from two sets down, that is still an unspectacular result. Karatsev has cooled off in a big way since the first four months of the season and Brooksby has the kind of game that can take advantage–one that befuddles opponents who are short on confidence and unwilling to play long points.

Pick: Brooksby in 4