Wednesday at the U.S. Open will have a distinct American flavor, headlined by Ben Shelton, Brandon Nakashima, and Alex Michelsen. Shelton is going up against Hubert Hurkacz, while Nakashima and Michelsen will go head-to-head.
(8) Ben Shelton vs. Hubert Hurkacz
A rough draw for Shelton — albeit one that may eventually get easier now that Arthur Fils is already out of the U.S. Open — continues against Hurkacz in round two on Wednesday afternoon. This marks their first-ever showdown, and it’s one that neither player had much trouble booking even though they both dropped sets on Monday. Shelton got breadsticked by Tallon Griekspoor right off the bat but mostly cruised the rest of the way, while Hurkacz split his first two sets with Damir Dzumhur and then dominated the next two 6-1, 6-1.
Shelton’s summer is highlighted by a back-to-back Canada Masters triumph, this one in Montreal. The ninth-ranked American lost his opening match in Cincinnati to Jaime Faria, but at least that leaves him well rested for the year’s fourth and final Grand Slam. Hurkacz won the Cancun Challenger a couple of weeks ago but is a disappointing 17-16 on the main tour this season. The 47th-ranked Pole has also never made it past the second round at Flushing Meadows in his entire career, whereas Shelton has already reached a semifinal (2023). This one should go the eighth seed’s way.
Pick: Shelton in 4
(16) Brandon Nakashima vs. Alex Michelsen
Nakashima and Michelsen will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Wednesday. To say that Michelsen is catching his fellow American at the wrong time would be a gross understatement. Nakashima has been one of the stars of the hard-court summer, with a semifinal showing in Washington, D.C., a runner-up performance in Montreal, and a semifinal run in Cincinnati. The world No. 17’s hot streak continued with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 humiliation of Sebastian Baez on Monday.
Michelsen is also playing well. The world No. 46 dipped back into the Challenger pool after Wimbledon and reached the semis in Newport to go along with a title in Bloomfield Hills. He then reached the quarters in D.C., the third round in Montreal, and the second round in Cincinnati. Michelsen kicked off his U.S. Open campaign by beating Federico Cina 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 on Sunday. The 22-year-old’s serve is very good, but Nakashima’s is incredible. Michelsen also doesn’t have the backhand advantage over Nakashima like he does over most opponents, and Nakashima’s check mark in the forehand department is sizable. This should be a high-quality contest between two confident players, but the No. 16 seed is a considerable favorite for a reason.
Pick: Nakashima in 4
WWW?
Michelsen won in straight sets. Nakashima had a horrendous day. Once again he demonstrated why is so one dimensional and over reliant on his serve.
His return of serve was back to his usual atrocious standards not putting any pressure on his opponentz earning only 3 break points. Michelsen was never threatened he was in complete control.
Jodar in trouble as well. Rublev out.
Merida easy pick
Is the rain going to save Jodar? He has been playing like a drain….!
Easy was it, you had him in 5, hardly easy anyways.
Gotta mention Bu is just owning Jodar right now, he’s up 4-1 in the 3rd, and has only dropped 4 games so far.
Oh wow, I’m waking up to mayhem here in Australia! Jodar and Nakashima both out R1, who’d have thought it! And I watched the near-upset of Zverev yesterday. His opponent was totally on fire and Set 4 was a nailbiter with Zverev looking out of confidence and two points from defeat to the singing, dancing, lasagna-celebrating man from Turin.
The unexpected is already playing a major role in this tournament. I’m now on tenterhooks for the Alcaraz match. How will he go against more solid competition than the R1?