ATP Next Gen stars Borna Coric and Denis Shapovalov have shown the goods through two rounds at the 2017 US Open, but to reach the second week they’ll need to step up in a big way and secure progression into the fourth round. In other day 5 action John Isner, and Lucas Pouille are favorites to reach the second week, while Marin Cilic faces challenger Diego Schwartzman. Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, and David Adair offer their predictions.
Mischa Zverev vs. John Isner
Steen: Zverev has two h2h wins this year, and even though he’s far from in-form, he’s still won two matches in New York and Isner tends to choke in slams when presented with momumental opportunity. Isner should win, but I’ll go with Zverev to get an upset and disrupt the Americans timing. Zverev in 5
Yesh: Zverev loves keeping his points short and will rush the net, which could trouble Isner. The big American is just solid enough on return this week that he should be able to get through this match without trouble. Isner in 3
David: Ala the Australian Open – Mischa is the longest surviving Zverev brother. For how long, though? Isner will be up for this and has been steady if unspectacular, but his tie break ability gives him the edge here. I see this match being one of those epic 5 setters, Isner should have too much in the end, to the delight of the New York crowd. Isner in 5
Kevin Anderson vs. Borna Coric
Steen: Anderson leads the h2h and looks dangerous so far. He’s won nine matches compared to just three losses this summer, and he’s enjoying playing on hard courts as it suits his game. Coric dispatched Sascha Zverev in round 2 and that’s a big result, but Anderson is a matchup problem for him. Anderson in 4
Yesh: Can Coric follow up his big win? My head says no, but my heart says it has to happen eventually. Why not now? Coric in 4
David: Anderson has a 2-0 head-to-head advantage in this one. They have not met since Basel 2015, but Anderson has steadily gone from strength to strength, since his hamstring injury that forced him to pull out of the French.
Anderson’s serving power should win him enough cheap points to pressurize the Coric serve and take advantage from there. Anderson in 3
Denis Shapovalov vs. Kyle Edmund
Steen: Shapovalov has won nine of his last 10 matches after easily defeating Tsonga in the second round. Edmund is no slouch and hasn’t dropped a set, but Shapovalov has a much higher ceiling in this one. Edmund lacks the weapons to win this one it seems. Shapovalov in 4
Yesh: Nothing is stopping this Canadian superstar right now. He had to come through qualifiers, but he’s not leaving before the second week. Shapovalov in 3
David: This is arguably the contest of the round. The crushing Canadian, against the only Brit’ left in the singles draw. The way Shapovalov made Tsonga seem gangly and awkward was down to his craft rather than the Frenchman’s poor form. Kyle is in good form and techinically holds a 1-1 record against the Canadian, but that was due to Shapovalov’s disqualification from this year’s Davis Cup match. Shapovalov in 4
Lucas Pouille vs. Mikhail Kukushkin
Steen: Kukushkin’s form has looked great since qualifying, Pouille is the better player but I still don’t trust his consistency. The challenger level journeyman looks set to snatch this in an upset, the surface and the moment suits him. Kukushkin in 4
Yesh: Pouille decided to stop playing well for a few sets in his last match, but it wasn’t enough to knock him out of the tournament. He should find his form again and move through. Pouille in 4
David: Another 1-1 head to head, but Pouille has a hard court victory over his Kazakh rival and should see this one out, but it will be close. Pouille in 5
Diego Schwartzman vs. Marin Cilic
Steen: Schwartzman has had a fantastic summer and is living up to his potential. That said, he’s undersized and lacks power, Cilic should be rounding into better form after getting a couple of matches under his belt. Cilic in 3
Yesh: This is the underrated match of the day. Schwartzman has been steadily improving, and Cilic hasn’t looked great at times this tournament. An upset may be on the cards here. Cilic in 5
David: Straight sets victories over dangerous opponents – Berlocq and Tipsarevic makes Schwarztman one of the most in-form players left in the draw.
Cilic looked lethargic and workmanlike when putting away up and comer Tennys Sandgren in the first round here. Many see him as a sitting duck and it’s hard not to disagree. There’s a potential shock in this one. Schwartzman in 5
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