Fabio Fognini and Kei Nishikori are among the veteran ATP players in action on day 2 of the US Open in New York, our panelists Steen Kirby, Anish Joshi, and Yesh Ginsburg offer predictions for all of the day 2 matches.
Fabio Fognini vs Vasek Pospisil
Yesh: Fognini has been quiet recently, but he can bring a high level on hard courts and still plays well when he wants. Plus, he always does better in front of lots of fans. Fognini in 4
Steen: Pospisil leads the h2h 3-1, Fognini has won his opening match in his last three tournaments while Pospisil is just 1-4 since Wimbledon. Pospisil is a capable hard court player and clearly good enough to beat Fognini, but Fognini is playing better right now. Fognini in 5
Anish: This seems to be an interesting match-up, with Fognini and Pospisil having a drop in their levels. Still, Fognini in his day has done something that looked totally impossible, defeating Nadal from two sets down. He has always been a high-quality payer on hardcourts, and is the favourite to win this match. Pospisil never realy got going in any of the tune-ups. He will be crashing out. Fognini in 4
Sebastian Korda vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Yesh: Korda is rapidly improving and is close to a top player, but he’s not quite elite yet. Basilashvili has been on and off all year. When he’s on, he can beat anyone, and when he’s off, he’s awful. The American can win even if he’s on. Korda in 3
Steen: Korda has only played four matches since Wimbledon, splitting the outcomes of those matches. Basilashvili went through a long cold spell over the last year but he did win matches in both Tokyo and Canada. Korda should have home fan support and that gives him an edge here. Korda in 5
Anish: Sebastian Korda might be the next big thing in American tennis. He has shown great talent as well as excellent mental strength. Going big at his home slam will be an excellent start for Korda, for whom a great career awaits. Basilashvili has achieved average results in his past few tournaments. He will give Korda a very steep challenge. Korda in 5
Kei Nishikori vs Salvatore Caruso
Yesh: Caruso is decent on clay, and Nishikori hasn’t been great recently. The Japanese is a better player, though, and he’s not playing poorly. Nishikori in 4
Steen: Caruso much prefers clay, Nishikori may not be fit, Nishikori did play well at home in Tokyo (quarterfinals) and reached the semifinals in Washington though. Presuming he’s fit, Nishikori should romp. Nishikori in 3
Anish: Salvatore Caruso spends most of his time on the challenger circuit. Even there, he has mixed results. He will face a hard time trying to adapt to the courts here at New York. Nishikori did very well to make the semifinal at Washington. He is looking in a good nick at the moment. Nishikori in 4
Corentin Moutet vs Stefano Travaglia
Yesh: This match would be much more fun on clay, but could be good in New York. Or Moutet could just win. Moutet in 4
Steen: Both players prefer clay, Moutet qualified for Cincy, Travaglia basically doesn’t play matches on this surface and did not make significant preparations for the US Open. Moutet should get the job done while Travaglia collects the first round prize money. Moutet in 3
Anish: Corentin Moutet did well to qualify for the Cincinnati Open, only to lose in the first round to Reily Opelka. He is slowly turning out to be a good player on all surfaces, though at the moment he is a work in progress. Stefano Travaglia is a player more frequent on the challenger tour. Also, he has little hardcourt matches under his belt in recent days. Moutet should prevail. Moutet in 4
Main Photo from Getty Images
