Washington, D.C. R3 previews and predictions: Querrey vs. Dolgopolov, Johnson vs. Harrison

A strong American contingent will be in action as part of a jam-packed third-round schedule in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. It includes Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Ryan Harrison.

(8) Sam Querrey vs. (11) Alexandr Dolgopolov

Querrey and Dolgopolov will be squaring off for the sixth time in their careers and for the second time at this event when they battle for a spot in the Citi Open quarterfinals on Thursday. En route to the 2012 title, Dolgopolov downed Querrey 6-4, 6-4 during semifinal action. It is the American, however, who leads the overall head-to-head series 3-2. He has won three matches in a row at Dolgopolov’s expense, including two last season; 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 on the grass courts of Nottingham and 7-6(5), 6-4 in Tokyo.

This tournament, of course, marks Querrey’s first appearance since he stunned Novak Djokovic in round three at Wimbledon. The world No. 29 eventually reached his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal, following up his defeat of Djokovic by beating Nicolas Mahut before losing to Milos Raonic. Dolgopolov is coming off a disappointing second-round Wimbledon setback against Daniel Evans and he just barely held off Jordan Thompson 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) on Tuesday. Querrey also needed three sets to win his opener, scraping past countryman Bjorn Fratangelo 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4. The eighth seed is playing with far more confidence than his Ukrainian opponent right now and he should treat the American fans to a hard-fought victory.

Pick: Querrey in 3

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(Q) Ryan Harrison vs. (5) Steve Johnson

Johnson and Harrison will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers on Thursday. Their only previous meeting came at the Challenger level, with Johnson cruising 6-2, 6-4 two years ago on the indoor hard courts of Dallas. The two Americans have gone in different directions since that contest. A red-hot Johnson is up to No. 25 in the world thanks in part to his first ATP title in Nottingham and a fourth-round performance at Wimbledon.

Harrison is toiling down at 158th in the rankings, thus relegated for the most part to the Challenger circuit. He had played only eight ATP-level matches in 2016 prior to this week, compiling a 3-5 record. The 24-year-old is suddenly in the midst of one of his most productive events in recent memory, having qualified for the main draw prior to straight-set victories over Stephane Robert and Viktor Troicki. A considerably tougher and much more in-form opponent should bring an end to the underdog’s run, but it won’t be easy with Harrison seemingly back on track.

Pick: Johnson in 3

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