Stefanos Tsitsipas and Roberto Bautista Agut take to the court in the third round and look to continue to win on hard courts at the US Open. Our panelists Damian Kust, Anish Joshi, and Steen Kirby, have predictions for every third round match including Daniil Medvedev’s match.
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Steen: The pair have split h2h meetings, Bautista Agut is looking for his third appearance in the fourth round of the US Open with a win, in two matches so far he hasn’t dropped a set or even come close to being challenged. The younger Canadian is looking to make a second straight 4th round showing in New York. His first round match against Evgeny Donskoy was challenging but he had an easier time in round 2. This looks like a great hard court matchup, Bautista Agut’s consistency should win the day but I doubt this one will be straight sets either way, Auger-Aliassime has a bigger game but it can falter in key moments. Bautista Agut in 5
Damian: Bautista Agut has been pretty spectacular so far, barely losing games against the potentially dangerous Kyrgios and Ruusuvuori. His consistency off the baseline will be a real test of whether Auger-Aliassime can maintain his attacking mindset without leaking errors. With the Spaniard in this form, it could be tougher than expected. Bautista Agut in 5
Anish: Roberto Bautista Agut gave away just six games in his second round match against Emil Russuvuori. He has looked like a man on a mission, defeating two tough opponents. Felix Auger Aliassime, on the other hand, has faced two easy opponents, and advanced without much fuss. This promises to be a tough match, but Auger Aliassime is the favorite for me due to his attacking style of play. Auger-Aliassime in 5
Carlos Alcaraz vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Steen: The young Spaniard Alcaraz has matched his best ever showing in a Grand Slam, Tsitsipas has his best showing at the US Open in progress as well. Alcaraz is playing fantastic tennis this Summer, Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t get off to the best start through two rounds but he’s been winning matches all Summer long, and on hard courts you have to back the Greek in this battle of the young guns. Tsitsipas in 4
Damian: Alcaraz’s matches against the top 10 haven’t been great thus far as he’s only won 14 games across 7 sets. He’s gaining more experience on the tennis tour and should come way closer this time, but he’s probably not ready for a win like that on hard courts yet. Tsitsipas in 4
Anish: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, the Spaniard touted to be the next big thing in tennis, proved once again that he is not just a one match wonder. He did very well to come as far as the third round, and would have surely gone further, if his opponent wasn’t Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas is playing excellently, and it is very hard for his opponents to control play. Tsitsipas should take the win here, but Alcaraz will make him work for it. Tsitsipas in 5
Alex Molcan vs Diego Schwartzman
Steen: Molcan broke out onto the ATP Tour this year and is uncharted waters at 23 years old as a qualifier. The Slovak’s second round win against Brandon Nakashima was an impressive five setter, but this is still his toughest match yet on paper. Schwartzman has made easy work of his first two opponents (including a late night win over Kevin Anderson), the Argentine loves playing at the BJK National Tennis Center where he’s reached the quarterfinals twice previously, Schwartzman should continue his US Open success. Schwartzman in 3
Damian: Molcan’s enjoyed an incredible run and this will be a pretty weird match between two counter-punchers. Schwartzman should have enough quality off the ground to find his way through. Expect long rallies in this one. Schwartzman in 4
Anish: Alex Molcan defeated local boy Brandon Nakashima in a five setter that lasted for over three hours. Molcan’s resilience has to be praised, but it seems like his campaign will have to stop here. Schwartzman played beautifully against Anderson, not giving him much room to cash in. He is the favorite due to his current form. Schwartzman in 3
Dan Evans vs Alexei Popyrin
Steen: Evans won their only meeting earlier this year, Popyrin benefited from a Grigor Dimitrov retirement and is now into the third round of a Grand Slam for the fourth time in his career (he’s never reached the second week of a Slam). Evans beat American Marcos Giron in the second round and after three previous attempts in the third round, is looking to make the second week of the US Open for the first time ever. Evans has more experience and the h2h edge, he should have a big enough game to reach a new level. Evans in 4
Damian: Evans scored a great win over Giron and played well at the US Open in the past. It won’t be an easy match though as Popyrin has a great set of weapons for hard courts with his power and is probably a top 50 player on this surface as well. The Australian should have a good shot at the upset. Popyrin in 5
Anish: Daniel Evans defeated Marcus Giron without facing much difficulty in the second round. He now faces an easier opponent in Alexei Popyrin. Popyrin was up two sets to live against Dimitrov, before the latter retired to injury. Evans should win this comfortably. Evans in 3
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