The competition at the US Open is hotting up, with just 32 men left in contention. On day five in New York, 16 men will battle for a place in the last 16 and we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all eight matches on the schedule, including Alexander Zverev vs Adrian Mannarino and Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Borna Coric. Giving their predictions for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust and Andrew Watson.
US Open Men’s Day Five Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Jim: Novak Djokovic may have beaten Jan-Lennard Struff handily last week at the Cincinnati Masters, but don’t expect the world #1 to find things quite so straightforward at the US Open. If nothing else, Djokovic rarely hits top gear in the first week at a Major, seemingly choosing to prioritise mental rather than physical stamina. Nonetheless, this is a bad match up for Struff, who has now lost four out of four against the Serb. Don’t expect that pattern to change.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Damian: The German is playing great tennis, impressing both last week and in the first two rounds at the US Open. Struff is an excellent spot-server and looks to deliver an aggressive strike early on. The problem is Djokovic’s game is the perfect response to such a style. The Serbian is the best counter-puncher in the game right now and destroyed Struff in last week’s quarterfinals. If Struff serves extremely well, taking a set off Djokovic might be possible. Hard to expect anything more though.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Andrew: Struff is unfortunate to be meeting Djokovic at this stage as he is probably in the form of his life and would be a real danger elsewhere in the draw. Djokovic recovered supremely from a tough first set against Kyle Edmund to show, once again, that his game is in a really strong place right now. The Serb will win again here, Struff may get to a tiebreak but it’s difficult to see him winning a set.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
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Filip Krajinovic vs David Goffin
Jim: David Goffin managed to negotiate two tough challenges in the form of Reilly Opelka and Lloyd Harris. But he now faces a very different sort of opponent in Filip Krajinovic. The Serbian played superbly at the Cincinnati Masters and he has maintained that fine form so far in New York. Goffin, in contrast, has looked a little shaky, which suggests an upset might just be on the cards here.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
Damian: Krajinovic won both the matches they played in 2019, although it has to be said that he was in great form that February/March. Over a year has passed since, but the Serbian seems to be in fantastic shape again, following a great run last week in ‘Cincinnati’ and two good wins at the US Open. Krajinovic has so much confidence in his game right now that he should beat Goffin again, especially as the Belgian hasn’t been at his best for quite some time.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
Andrew: The Serbian #2 is playing much like the #1 at the moment. He has such confidence in his game right now on these courts that it will be difficult for the Belgian to figure out a way to beat him. Goffin is an intelligent player though and he will definitely have his say in the match. But expect Krajinovic to have just about too much for the Belgian.
Prediction: Krajinovic in 4
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Jordan Thompson vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Jim: This is a big opportunity for both men to reach the second week at a Major. But, perhaps tellingly, whilst Jordan Thompson has never before reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam, Mikhail Kukushkin has done so twice, including at the All England Club last year. And with the quick courts likely to favour his flat, penetrating groundstrokes, don’t be surprised to see the Kazakh in the last 16 once again.
Prediction: Kukushkin in 5
Damian: This is an excellent opportunity for either of the two. While they both lost two sets on the way to the third round, Kukushkin should have much less left in the tank. The Kazakh survived a gruelling five-setter against Christian Garin where both had to make use of the medical timeout in the decider. It’s easy to underestimate Thompson’s tennis, but whilst it isn’t flashy, it is extremely solid and versatile.
Prediction: Thompson in 4
Andrew: This is a difficult one to call. Both players would be delighted with a place in the fourth round at a Grand Slam but this could be a real battle to take it. Servers will dominate, but Thompson may just have the slight fitness edge after Kukushkin went to five sets with Garin.
Prediction: Thompson in 5
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Cameron Norrie vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Jim: It has been an excellent week for Cameron Norrie, who started his campaign with a thrilling comeback win over Diego Schwartzman, which he backed up by dispatching Federico Coria in three. But Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has also impressed, beating Dennis Novak in five sets before upsetting Hubert Hurkacz. His aggressive approach is high-risk, high-reward, but the conditions should favour him, with Norrie occasionally guilty of playing too passively.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 5
Damian: This section of the draw opened up suddenly with Schwartzman and Hurkacz going out earlier than expected. This is bound to be quite an unusual match in modern tennis as Davidovich Fokina’s full bag of tricks will be squared off against Norrie’s strange, yet effective groundstrokes. But the Brit has more experience at Grand Slams (although not at this stage) and is generally the more reliable and consistent player of the two.
Prediction: Norrie in 5
Andrew: After taking part in a match that had 68 break points in the opening round, Norrie went on to save 13 out of 14 break points against Coria. That level of performance is unsustainable long term but the Brit may not need to be so good against the Spaniard. Davidovich Fokina is an exciting young player and that should help the spectacle, but he can make a lot of errors. Expect the more consistent Norrie to emerge victorious here.
Prediction: Norrie in 4
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