Day 3 at the US Open sees the start of round 2 action with Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray among the top players in action. Here is your look at the big matches of the day.
Rafael Nadal vs Vasek Pospisil
Steen: Pospisil had promise at one point in his career but he’s turned into a journeyman. With Nadal in good form this match could be over relatively quickly unless Pospisil can serve himself out of trouble consistently. Nadal in 3
Utkarsha Mitra: This is their first ever meeting in ATP/Grand Slam events. Pospisil is a dangerous floater in any draw but with Nadal’s current form, it’s unlikely Pospisil will take a set or two. Nadal in 3
Eric Han: This match-up should be a routine match up for the Spaniard. Pospisil will no doubt be nervous at the start to not only play the ‘aura’ of Nadal , but also to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nadal will capitalize on this opportunity, and by the time Pospisil settles his nerves, the match will nearly be over. Nadal in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Steve Johnson
Steen: Johnson seems like a sensible upset pick here. Thiem is more accomplished and higher ranked of course but hard courts are not his best surface and he’s in poor form. Johnson is in good form himself and with the home supporters behind the American he should get over the line. Johnson in 4
Utkarsha: Thiem had a total of 3 match wins since his French Open heroics, with last win coming a month ago in Germany. Johnson, on the other hand, is full of confidence following his run to the final in Winston-Salem. Johnson in 4
Eric: Despite Thiem not having the best results coming up to the US Open, he has never lost in the second round here. Johnson is a tough player, and will the American will definitely get the home support. Even though, Johnson leads their head-to-head hard court meetings 1-0, I do expect Thiem to win in 4 tight sets. Thiem in 4
Andreas Seppi vs Denis Shapovalov
Steen: Shapovalov won a match that was cut short in round 1 while Seppi notched an upset against Sam Querrey via retirement as well. Seppi is a tricky opponent but Shapovalov has more firepower and given the surface he should have an edge. Shapovalov in 4
Utkarsha: Shapovalov’s recent form hasn’t been the best and he reached R2 courtesy a heartbreaking mid-match retirement from his friend Felix Auger Aliassime. Seppi himself reached the 2nd round via retirement from Sam Querrey. Nonetheless, he can always put the better players under pressure when we’d least expect it. Shapovalov in 5
Eric: This matchup is a toss up and will depend on which Shapovalov shows up on to the court. Shapovalov is still young and inexperienced in playing slams, and can be a bit inconsistent at times. I can sense an upset here and will pick Seppi to win. Seppi in 4
Andy Murray vs Fernando Verdasco
Steen: Murray has been up and down in his comeback but Verdasco is a shell of the player he once was and I still think Murray will notch a narrow win in this one that should boost his confidence for future matches. Murray in 5
Utkarsha: Verdasco got a very comfortable straight-set win over Feliciano Lopez in the first round, but Murray will be a different proposition, even if he’s not fully fit. Murray in 5
Eric: Even though Murray leads their head-to-head 13-1, I expect Verdasco to challenge Murray. If Murray manages to win this match, it will be a big confidence booster for him to finish in the latter stages of the tournament and for the rest of the year. Hopefully Verdasco can bring some glimpses of the old Andy Murray, but I am not sure whether Murray is fully confident of his abilities at the moment to win the match. Verdasco in 5
Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Steen: Both young stars have had success on hard courts this summer but Tsitsipas has accomplished the most between them. This should be a great clash with Tsitsipas coming out ahead in a battle. Tsitsipas in 4
Utkarsha: Both the youngsters had convincing wins in their opening round matches. But given Tsitsipas’ current form and confidence level, I’ll pick him for the win. Tsitsipas in 5
Eric: This is the battle of “Next-Gen”. Both players had relative ease in their first round matches and are full of confident in their abilities. Medvedev is definitely carrying more momentum having just won Winston-Salem last week and the Russian leads their overall head-to-head record 1-0 (played in Miami earlier this year.) However Tsitsipas is a completely different player compared to the one in Miami – and a match played over five sets is a completely different ball game. I expect this match to go to five sets and think the player with the better mental toughness will prevail at the end. Tsitsipas in 5
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