Tuesday at the 2021 US Open features Canada’s Denis Shapovalov and American Reilly Opelka on the match card. Steen Kirby and Yesh Ginsburg offer all their predictions for the day’s action.
Denis Shapovalov vs Federico Delbonis
Yesh: Shapovalov has not been at his best recently, but he does well on bigger stages. Delbonis doesn’t have the game to really challenge the Canadian, though, as long as he’s not spraying too many errors. Shapovalov in 3
Steen: Both players have four straight losses on their resume’s and have endured a poor Summer of tennis. Shapovalov is the better hard court player though and should find a way to win this opening match and snap his cold streak. Shapovalov in 4
Reilly Opelka vs Soon-Woo Kwon
Yesh: Reilly Opelka is playing well. He’s not just a huge serve, and hard courts suit him very well. Kwon has been playing well recently, but he’s not at the same level. Opelka in 3
Steen: Opelka won their only meeting, he was a finalist in Canada, Kwon has struggled this Summer, even if his game were to improve, Opelka is a strong favorite with his serve, the New York crowd should get behind the American. Opelka in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Emilio Nava
Yesh: Nava will get a chance to impress here. Musetti has not yet won a match since going up two sets on Novak Djokovic at the French Open. As long as he’s healthy, though, he should win this one. Musetti in 4
Steen: The wild card Nava is a rising talent who has been building a string of results below the tour level that are impressive, Nava also reached two junior Grand Slam finals including the US Open. Musetti also has two career Grand Slam finals at the junior level, Musetti hasn’t won a match since reaching the second at Roland Garros though. Nava is the more in-form choice. Nava in 5
Tallon Griekspoor vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Yesh: Griekspoor has been decent recently, but he’s not on Struff’s level. Expect the German to win with ease here. Struff in 3
Steen: Griekspoor won a couple of challenger titles recently but they were on clay, Struff failed to impress this Summer, but he’s still probably good enough to win an opening round match in best of 5 like this, especially on hard courts. Struff in 4
Main Photo from Getty Images
