Three potential US Open dark horses, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Dominic Thiem begin their campaigns in New York. Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg offer their predictions. We also have predictions for matches featuring Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios.
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Andrey Rublev
Steen: Tsitsipas has hit the skids at the wrong time, and Rublev will be out for the kill in this one. The Russian upset Federer in Cincy, showing off how skilled he can be against the best. Tsitsipas is likely to be out of form here and Rublev will take advantage. Rublev in 4
Yesh: This is a terrible draw for Tsitsipas. He faces a good youngster who is high in confidence after he beat Roger Federer in Cincinnati. Tsitsipas has been solid but not quite at his best recently. I see an upset brewing. Rublev in 4
Pablo Andujar vs Kyle Edmund
Steen: Edmund isn’t an elite player right now but he won’t have to be against Andujar. The Spaniard struggles on hard courts and will be outmatched in this one. Edmund in 3
Yesh: Andujar can be a solid player, but Edmund is more powerful and is better-suited for this surface. Give me the Brit. Edmund in 3
Dominic Thiem vs Thomas Fabbiano
Steen: Thiem can contend this US Open, but to get there he’ll have to beat Fabbiano, a relative journeyman who is playing with house money. Fabbiano should test him but the Austrian is the better player. Thiem in 3
Yesh: A few months ago, Fabbiano looked like a potential strong challenger. Now, though, he’s not anything special, and he’s facing a player who is. Thiem in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Radu Albot
Steen: Zverev has had a terrible year, adding to his mental block in the slams. Albot is another playing with nothing to lose who will believe he can upset the more accomplished German. I’ll back Sascha to scrap through but only after a tense contest. Zverev in 5
Yesh: Zverev is in awful form, always struggles in Majors, and drew a player in the best form of his career. Is this even an upset at this point? Albot in 4
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