Our expert panel of Steen Kirby and Niall Clarke of LWOS, and Manuel Traquete of Men’s Tennis Forums is back for predictions and analysis of the best matches of US Open men’s day 2 including the night session match of Andy Murray vs. Nick Kyrgios, without further adieu here is our take.
Panelist Predictions US Open Men’s Day 2 Including Murray-Kyrgios
(3)Andy Murray vs. Nick Kyrgios
Steen:
You have to give Kyrgios somewhat of a chance given his fantastic history at such a young age in Grand Slams. The cocky Australian is a clutch player who lives for big stages like Arthur Ashe at night against the world #3 and former US Open champion. With that said, his 0-2 record against Murray in slams this year, including at his home Australian Open at the start of the year shows that the UK #1 is a bad matchup for him. Murray is a great defensive counterpuncher who can outrally and exhaust Kyrgios from the baseline, resulting in him losing his focus and spewing errors. Kyrgios makes a lot of headlines, often for the wrong reasons, but when it comes to on the court matchup and ability, Murray should get through this one and continue on into the second week of the tournament.
Prediction: Murray in 3 sets
Niall:
The pick of the round one matches as far as the media go. This will be more interesting due to Kyrgios’ antics because match-up wise it should be a rather routine victory for the Brit. He has the ability to negate the Aussie’s weapons and exploit his weaknesses.
Prediction: Murray in 3 sets
Manuel:
Perhaps the most anticipated match of the first round. How competitive this match will be will all depend on what form and attitude Kyrgios brings up to the court; if he gets off to a hot start and gets fired up, this could a real battle. But he could equally flame out in 3 unsensational sets with error after error.
Prediction: Murray in 4 sets
(12)Richard Gasquet vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
Steen:
Kokkinakis is another clutch player in high pressure Grand Slam situations, and he has a great future ahead at a young age, but like Kyrgios, this matchup doesn’t seem like the best for him as the versatile Gasquet dispatched him with relative ease not long ago in Cincy on a hard court surface. Kokkinakis has power, but Gasquet’s effortless flair and backhand wonders should be able to get the job done here, even if it takes going the distance. The veteran Frenchman is a reliable Grand Slam competitor against opponents of Kokkinakis caliber.
Prediction: Gasquet in 4 sets
Niall:
Gasquet must be fed up of facing these young Aussies. The Frenchman beat Kokkanakis in Toronto and I expect him to do the same here. Gasquet is too seasoned and at this stage a difficult match-up for the young Aussie.
Prediction: Gasquet in 3 sets
Manuel:
When the two played in Cincinnati, Kokkinakis had chances to win the first set but ended up losing in straights. This time around, Gasquet is still a strong favorite – he’s been playing solid tennis and seems like he can make a return to the top 10 at some point, – but Kokkinakis could definitely cause some problems.
Prediction: Gasquet in 4 sets
(22)Viktor Troicki vs. (WC)Frances Tiafoe
Steen:
Troicki has put together a solid season overall, earning him a top 25 seed, but he’s either injured or mentally broken since Wimbledon, and he’s been horrible on hard courts this summer. The Serbian is unlikely to get himself together in time for the US Open, and I see him playing at a level well below his ranking. Tiafoe has tons of talent but partially due to his inexperience he struggles to focus and put it all together at times. He got Grand Slam experience at the French Open this year and fitness shouldn’t be a problem, so I believe in him to get the job done over an ATP veteran in Troicki.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4 sets
Niall:
Troicki is usually one of the more consistent players on tour and he faces rising young gun Tiafoe in round one. We will be hearing a lot more of this young American teenager in the future but right now I think the Serb will be too solid in a best of five scenario.
Prediction: Troicki in 4 sets
Manuel:
Troicki has been in horrendous form after Wimbledon, Tiafoe might actually have a huge chance here to score a win over a top 30 players if he doesn’t get overwhelmed by the occasion.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4 sets
(29)Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. (Q)Alexander Zverev
Steen:
Kohlschreiber is an established veteran presence on tour and tends to compete well in slams, but he’s had one of his worst seasons in a while off of clay, and his hard court warm up loss in Cincy left much to be desired. Age may well be catching up with this aggressive one hand backhander, and his countryman Zverev, an in-form teenage qualifier, seems to have caught this matchup at the right time. Sascha is developing into an all-court talent and has plenty of ATP experience this year, he should avenge his loss to Kohlschreiber on clay in Munich and pull off this upset with the hope of meeting Federer in the third round.
Prediction: Zverev in 5 sets
Niall:
Whilst we are on the topic of bright prospects, Zverev has been notching up some good wins since making his breakthrough at Hamburg last year. He came through qualifying and faces experienced compatriot Kohlschreiber. I can see Zverev winning this one, but overall I am siding with Kohli in five sets.
Prediction: Kohlschreiber in 5 sets
Manuel:
Kohlschreiber goes into this all-German duel as the favorite, but the 18 year old Zverev will surely fancy his chances. He’s been on a constant upward trend this year, slowly but steadily moving into the top 50. Kohlschreiber is known for mentally faltering when the going gets tough, if his younger countryman can keep the match close he can score a big win here.
Prediction: Zverev in 5 sets
Lukas Rosol vs. (WC)Jared Donaldson
Steen:
I want to pick Donaldson to win this, as the unheralded junior has turned into one of the top American young guns on the tour, the teenager is now regularly competing at or just near the ATP level. He’s a clutch player and has a great attitude overall, not to mention the fact working with retired American serve and volleyer Taylor Dent should help develop all facets of his game. With that said the streaky Rosol hits with a lot of power, and though he can off the boil, if he plays at an average level he will likely outhit the American and survive this opening round match. Donaldson will need to have more weapons to reach the next level of the top 100.
Prediction: Rosol in 5 sets
Niall:
We know what Rosol brings to the table. He plays a very high risk power baseline game than can cause a lot of damage. Donaldson is one of the brighter US prospects on tour, and has notched up 3 ATP tour wins at the age of 18. The American can certainly get the win here, but I am backing Rosol’s experience to get him through.
Prediction: Rosol in 5 sets
Manuel:
Not the worst draw for the young American, but Rosol should still be too strong at this stage.
Prediction: Rosol in 4 sets
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