It’s a great opportunity to earn ranking points and money with a round 1 win at the US Open on Monday, Filip Krajinovic is among the players looking to take advantage as Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, Jim Smith, and Damian Kust offer all their predictions for the Grand Slam tennis in New York.
Dusan Lajovic vs Benoit Paire
Damian: Paire reminded us in Cincinnati that his peak is still incredibly high. Along with Lajovic’s shaky hard court form, this match should be fully on his racket. Parie in 4
Yesh: Lajovic is a solid player. Paire can be hit or miss, but he loves playing in front of fans, and when his game is hitting, he can beat just about anyone. Paire in 4
Steen: Paire leads the h2h 2-1 and had a nice run in Cincinnati, Lajovic won two matches in Canada and could be a threat, but Paire is the favorite for a reason, he has more upside. Paire in 4
Jim: Benoit Paire began the season in entirely indifferent form, at times rightly earning condemnation for a lack of effort. But the Frenchman has looked more engaged in recent weeks, reaching his first quarterfinal at Masters 1000-level since 2013 in Cincinnati. If he can recapture that form, expect him to edge out Dusan Lajovic. The Serbian is a fine player, but he struggles when denied rhythm. Paire in 5
Marcos Giron vs Antoine Hoang
Damian: Giron has managed to become a consistent force on the main tour this year, including a good run in Winston-Salem last week. He’s playing the best tennis of his life at the moment. Giron in 4
Yesh: Giron has played well above his level on the biggest stages this year. That level is currently improving, and this draw is one that Giron shouldn’t struggle with. Giron in 3
Steen: Giron won their only meeting and has been in excellent form, he reached the quarters in Winston-Salem, Hoang did well to qualify and is capable, but Giron’s form makes him a strong favorite. Giron in 3
Jim: Marcos Giron probably lost at about the right time in Winston-Salem, falling in the quarterfinals. That should have given him the necessary time to recover from his efforts in time for this first-round clash. It will probably not be straightforward for the American, with Antoine Hoang having looked sharp in the qualifying. But Giron is the higher-ranked player for a reason. Giron in 5
Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar
Damian: Kukushkin is here as a lucky loser but had some very bright moments in his qualifying campaign. Andujar’s fitness is a question mark and perhaps the Kazakh will be able to keep it together for three sets. Kukushkin in 4
Yesh: Neither of these players would expect to reach the second round of the US Open in a random year. With a favorable draw, one of them well. This could go either way, and will come down to who plays less poorly. Kukushkin in 4
Steen: Kukushkin leads the h2h 2-1, Andujar hasn’t been fit and doesn’t play at his best on hard courts. Kukushkin should benefit from this draw. Kukushkin in 4
Jim: Mikhail Kukushkin is not the force he once was, but the lucky loser has nothing to lose here. Nor is Pablo Andujar in particularly sparking form. The Spaniard has played just one match since winning a five-set marathon in the first round at Wimbledon and he lost it to Mirza Basic. Kukushkin’s match sharpness should give him a decisive edge. Kukushkin in 4
Guido Pella vs Filip Krajinovic
Damian: Krajinovic comfortably won their only hard court meeting and he should do that here again. Pella hasn’t been himself since the pandemic and it’s not getting much better. Krajinovic in 3
Yesh: Pella is not as good as he once was. Krajinovic is nowhere near the level that saw him reach the Bercy final four years ago, but he’s solid with a big game, which should suit him fine in New York. Krajinovic in 3
Steen: Krajinovic leads the h2h 2-1, Pella has generally struggled all season but he did win two matches in Cincinnati, Krajinovic has been poor in recent weeks and will be lacking in confidence. Pella in 4
Jim: Filip Krajinovic enjoyed a fine week in Hamburg where he reached the final, but there has been little else for the Serbian to celebrate of late. Guido Pella has not been particularly impressive of late either, although he did reach the third round in Cincinnati. But Krajinovic has had the better of their rivalry and his game is also better suited to American hard courts than the Argentine’s. Krajinovic in 4
Main Photo from Getty Images
