The 2019 US Open will get underway with matches featuring David Goffin and Lucas Pouille. Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg offer their predictions for these matches and many more on day 1 of the tournament.
Corentin Moutet vs David Goffin
Steen: Moutet is in terrible form and Goffin is finally returning to playing some of the best tennis of his career. Anything can happen in tennis, but this looks routine for the Belgian. Goffin in 3
Yesh: Moutet is constantly getting better, but Goffin is just too solid and playing way too well right now. Moutet won’t be able to do anything in this. Goffin in 3
Feliciano Lopez vs Taylor Fritz
Steen: Fritz has struggled since reaching the Los Cabos final. Though he’s playing at home, I’ll back the veteran Lopez to pull off a slight upset and reach the 2nd round. Lopez in 4
Yesh: Lopez is getting to the end of his career, and playing an American in New York is always tough. But I think the Spaniard’s serve will be consistent enough to frustrate Fritz, who will eventually make enough mistakes. Lopez in 4
Janko Tipsarevic vs Denis Kudla
Steen: Tipsarevic is retiring and will likely join Novak Djokovic’s team after he does so. He’ll battle for this one though and try to get another slam win before he calls curtains on his career. Kudla is beatable, but I think the American will scrape through at home. Kudla in 5
Yesh: Tipsarevic is approaching the end of his career. He has a winnable match against Kudla, but I think the American will be able to outlast him in front of a friendly crowd. Kudla in 5
Lucas Pouille vs Philipp Kohlschreiber
Steen: Pouille has the h2h edge and he played well enough in Cincy to suggest he’ll grab the win here against a tricky veteran opponent in Kohlschreiber. Pouille in 4
Yesh: Kohlschreiber seems to have fallen off a little this year, but he’s his same consistent self. Pouille is a Top 30 player who made his mark at the US Open three years ago. Expect a good match here. Pouille in 5
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