Day 4 of the US Open will feature top American Steve Johnson facing former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro, and young guns Alexander Zverev and Jared Donaldson will also be in action. LWOS Tennis Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg are on hand to preview and predict the best of the Round 2 action.
Panelist Predictions US Open Men’s Day 4 Including Johnson vs. Del Potro
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Janko Tipsarevic
Steen: PCB, a Spaniard, is not a player you typically associate with hard court success, but he’s only lost a pair of matches over his last three tournaments and is on quite the run of form as of late. Tipsarevic is a former top 10 veteran who was beset by injuries and vanished from the tour for two years. The Serbian stunned Sam Querrey in round 1, and now looks to earn another scalp and reach the third round. At his best, Tipsarevic is one of the best pure ball strikers on tour, but I have to favor PCB’s form here. Carreno Busta in 4 sets
Yesh: I actually like Carreno-Busta, but I think I’m still overly-impressed with his crazy Challenger and Futures winning streak a few years back. Tipsarevic looked very strong in his first match. If he’s back on form, he can go deep here. Tipsarevic in 3
Steve Johnson vs. Juan Martin Del Potro
Steen: Steve Johnson has notched sixteen hard court wins this year, but notching number seventeen is going to be difficult for the top American as the powerful Juan Martin Del Potro is a tough test. Even with fan support and despite his good season, Johnson is in a bad matchup with Del Potro, who can overpower him from the baseline. Presuming his mindset is right, Del Potro should advance. Del Potro in 4 sets
Yesh: Juan Martin Del Potro still shows fatigue at times, but he has been on fire lately. His performance at the Olympics was reminiscent of what won him the 2009 US Open. Johnson impressed in his own right in Rio, but after a long and grueling first match here he might not have enough left to even keep this close. Del Potro in 3
Alexander Zverev vs. Daniel Evans
Steen: Evans has been playing well, and alongside Kyle Edmund, he’s been a nice British surprise this summer on hard courts. Evans possess a one handed backhand that can help him dictate play at times, and he’s playing some of his best tennis. Zverev is not playing his best tennis right now, but he has a higher ceiling than Evans, and probably finds a way to pull out a squeaker, After four sets in round 1, I have Zverev in five sets in round 2.
Yesh: This is an interesting matchup of players with potential. Zverev’s ceiling is far higher than the Brit’s, though, and he’s playing at a better level right now. Zverev in 4
Ivo Karlovic vs. Donald Young
Steen: Young has never beaten Karlovic and the Croatian is playing very well right now. Despite not having a great record in slams, Karlovic should find a way to break Young’s serve, and he’ll hold his own mettle to get a win. Karlovic in 4 sets
Yesh: Donald Young surprises us at times, and he can be a sneaky good returner when he’s on form. I don’t know if he’ll be consistent enough to give himself break chances, but if he does this could be an incredible match. Young in 5
Viktor Troicki vs. Jared Donaldson
Steen: After losing his first four Summer matches, Viktor Troicki has won four of ihs last five and is the favorite to reach the third round now, after his draw has opened up a bit. The Serbian veteran has been both lucky and good this US Open, and looks to continue that. Donaldson came through qualifying, and then stunned David Goffin to highlight his overall effective Summer results, where he showed a prowess for qualifying. The Rhode Islander isn’t as well known as some of his young gun counterparts, but Donaldson has a big game, and I’m going with an upset in this one. Donaldson in 5 sets
Yesh: It cannot be overstated how impressive Donaldson was in his first-round shock of David Goffin. Donaldson has tremendous potential, and he just started hitting it this tournament. Expecting a 19-year-old to play lights-out tennis two matches in a row might be too tall an ask, but if he does, Troicki doesn’t stand a chance. Donaldson in 4
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