Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg of LWOS offer up their previews and predictions for the bottom portion of the men’s round of 16 at the 2015 US Open on Labor Day, including Roger Federer vs. American #1 John Isner.
Roger Federer vs. John Isner
Steen:
Federer’s susceptibility to slam losses given the best of 5 format on his 34 year old body means I don’t count Isner out entirely, especially at the US Open with his serve, but Federer has been vintage and at the top of his game through 3 matches. That ruthless efficiency has kept him fit and fresh, and given his strong motivation right now, Isner will be lucky to grab a set. It’s been a quiet, but solid, tournament for him that should end here.
Prediction: Federer in 3 sets
Yesh:
Federer’s dominance this tournament has been partially due to his aggressive return approach, something he won’t be able to try against Isner. Still, his ballstriking has been too pure this tournament to be troubled by the big American. Isner might get to and win one tiebreak if he’s lucky and two if he plays the match of his life. But there is basically no scenario, short of a Federer injury, where he reasonably wins this match.
Prediction: Federer in 4 sets
Stan Wawrinka vs. Donald Young
Steen:
Young has scored two of the best wins of his career in shocking comebacks over Simon and Troicki, and at this US Open he’s realized a lot of his talent with a stronger mental game. He also has a h2h win at the US Open over Wawrinka, but like Isner, he’s facing a superior opponent who is in good form. Wawrinka’s return game and backhand have been a buzzsaw and Young should become its next victim.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3 sets
Yesh:
I would love to be able to pick Young here. He has shown tremendous heart and fight this tournament and his opponent has been prone to bouts of poor play at times. Still, all of Young’s time on court has to catch up to him eventually. I can’t see his defense standing up to Stan the Man.
Prediction: Wawrinka in 3 sets
Tomas Berdych vs. Richard Gasquet
Steen:
Berdych has won the last three meetings after previously trailing 6-3 in the h2h over Gasquet, and he has done so without dropping a set. Gasquet has demonstrated good Grand Slam form once more, but Berdych likewise has been hitting big and going for his shots. This one could be close, and a Gasquet “upset” wouldn’t surprise me much if the wheels come off for Berdych but look for the Czch to grab the win in this one most likely.
Prediction: Berdych in 4 sets
Yesh:
Both players in this match have incredible talent when they play well. Both have played well for most, but not all, of this tournament. This could be a dud or could be the match of the tournament. There’s no in between, though.
Prediction: Berdych in 5 sets
Andy Murray vs. Kevin Anderson
Steen:
Anderson is on a long winning streak dating back to his Winston-Salem victory and he’s rarely had his serve broken on this run of victories. Murray had to bounce back from a five setter in round 2 against Adrian Mannarino, but he did so with perfection and given he’s one of the ATP’s best returners of big serves, he should be able to work his way past the South African and reach the quarterfinals in another strong performance.
Prediction: Murray in 4 sets
Yesh:
Murray has the best return in the game and his chessman-like ground game will keep the big South African tired.
Prediction: Murray in 4 sets
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