The second week of the 2018 US Open starts with American #1 John Isner facing Milos Raonic and Juan Martin Del Potro battling young gun Borna Coric. Our panelists break down the best matches of the day.
Rafael Nadal vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Steen Kirby: Nadal was tested in the third round but Basilashvili is a weaker player than Karen Khachanov and given Nadal survived in round 3 he should get past this match too, probably with ease. Nadal in 3
Yesh Ginsburg: Nadal got a good draw here. Basilashvili can’t quite challenge the Spaniard the way Khachanov did. Nadal in 3
Tracey Essex: The defending champion was certainly tested in his 4:25 hour, third round win over Russian Karen Kachanov. As we all know, fitness has never been an issue for Rafa – a man who practices even harder than he plays. Basilashvilli will need to clean up his unforced errors if he hopes to get anywhere near dethroning the 2017 Champion and even then, it just wouldn’t be enough. Nadal in 3
Juan Martin Del Potro vs Borna Coric
Steen: Coric will provide Del Potro with a tough challenge but Del Potro is in good form and he’s risen to the occasion before. I expect the young gun to take Del Potro to his limit, with the Argentine’s experience providing him with just enough to prevail. Del Potro in 5
Yesh: Borna Coric looks really good this tournament, and he is finally having his breakout Slam. Del Potro hasn’t been quite at his best recently, so there’s a chance at an upset here. Coric in 5
Tracey: Against a worthy opponent in the form of Coric, DelPotro will need to show the dominance he exhibited in his ousting of Verdasco. Wicked winners, amazing accuracy and the power to push an challenger off the court is what DelPotro will bring to this match and on this big of a stage, I doubt Coric can find the tools to take on a healthy DelPotro at a venue he loves. Del Potro in 4
Dominic Thiem vs Kevin Anderson
Steen: Thiem has been pedestrian on hard courts but great at the US Open comparatively. Anderson was challenged in his previous match though and survived thanks to a well rounded game. Anderson’s serve will help him maintain a lead and he should have enough skill to capture tiebreaks and win. Anderson in 4
Yesh: Dominic Thiem is a great talent, and his return can trouble Kevin Anderson. The tall South African reached the final last year for a reason, though, and won’t exit here so early. Anderson in 4
Tracey: The big serving South African seems to be an unstoppable force of late. It’ll take a lot of work for an opponent to eliminate Anderson, but it was Thiem’s powerful groundstrokes that took out Anderson in their last meetup. That was on clay, and Thiem hasn’t yet beat him on a hard court. I don’t think this will be his first hard court win despite his best efforts. Anderson in 4
Milos Raonic vs John Isner
Steen: This is a tremendous opportunity for either player, Isner will have home support, but Raonic’s more well-rounded game should make him the favorite to prevail. Raonic in 4
Yesh: Raonic/Isner is a matchup that many find boring. Raonic is a bit better from the baseline, but his serve has been more vulnerable recently. Give me Isner in four tiebreaks. Isner in 4
Tracey: This is the kind of match where tie-breakers will be the norm. Both men bring big serves and have been spot on in their first three matches. Raonic’s been tested in the form of Stan Wawrinka and yet, he showed the moxy to move him out of his way. It could go either way, and Isner will have the support of the crowd which fuels him, but Raonic’s confidence will lead him to the win. Raonic in 5
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