Gael Monfils vs Jannik Sinner is a marquee match to wrap up the opening week of the US Open, American Jenson Brooksby looks to reach week 2 as well in Saturday’s action. Steen Kirby and Jack Edward offer their predictions for all of the matches on the day including Novak Djokovic’s match vs Kei Nishikori..
Gael Monfils vs Jannik Sinner
Steen: These players met twice in 2019 and split those meetings, Monfils is not the same player he was when he reached the US Open semifinal in 2016, or even when he reached three quarterfinals, but he’s playing a lot better and has found his groove on hard courts this Summer. Sinner had a battle against the junior American Zachary Svajda, and he’s dropped sets in both matches thus far. That inconsistency in Sinner’s game gives Monfils an opening, even if he’s an underdog. The wily veteran should be able to keep the ball in play and make Sinner beat him. I’m not convinced Sinner is up to the task right now. Monfils in 4
Jack: If both players are playing their best tennis, Gael Monfils vs Jannik Sinner has the potential to be a fantastic match. Unfortunately, neither player has quite hit their stride, both pulling through in tight second-round four-setters. If both players are a little off, I’d have to back the raw power of the young Italian. Sinner in 4
Damian: That looks like a cracker. Monfils has finally found some form for the first time since the pandemic, and Sinner hasn’t been quite as convincing as it can be. They split their two meetings in 2019 and the Italian has definitely improved his game a lot since then. Monfils, likely not so much. Sinner in 5
Lloyd Harris vs Denis Shapovalov
Steen: Harris upset Shapovalov in Dubai earlier this year on hard courts, and will now look for another upset win on the Grand Slam stage. Harris has been gaining consistency and confidence this year and is a player that deserves more attention than he’s gotten. Shapovalov’s routine wins in the first two rounds demonstrate that he’s shaken off the poor form he entered the US Open with. Shapovalov at his best can go deep into this tournament and he’s still the player to beat in this matchup. Harris can take a set, but winning 3 of 5 is probably still too much of a task for the rising South African. Shapovalov in 5
Jack: I was anticipating this match-up at the start of the tournament and my opinion on the outcome hasn’t changed. Denis Shapovalov was given two opponents that are far more comfortable with dirt under their feet whilst Lloyd Harris had to wrestle with Karen Khachanov in his first-round – Harris’s appearance in the third is far more indicative of his form than Shapovalov’s. The breakout season of Harris will march on at the cost of the Canadian’s post-Wimbledon-crash continuing. Harris in 5
Damian: Shapovalov is playing well for the first time since Wimbledon, while Harris has been fantastic on hard courts this year, going 5-2 against top 30 opposition. While I would have picked the South African before the event, Shapovalov appears to have found his rhythm, and his experience at this stage could prevail. Shapovalov in 4
Ilya Ivashka vs Matteo Berrettini
Steen: Berrettini won both meetings including their Wimbledon match this year, Ivashka is on an eight match winning streak, Berrettini has had a pretty routine first two rounds for his part as well. The Italian is the more accomplished player and has a better game, Ivashka should take at least a set, and possibly the match, given his excellent form, despite the h2h disadvantage, Ivashka is playing too well right now to ignore and Berrettini is beatable. Ivashka in 5
Jack: Ilya Ivashka lost to Matteo Berrettini in their last Grand Slam match-up – there, the Italian had the advantage of grass-courts to add to his already booming serve. Ivashka is playing well enough to expose Berrettini’s weaker backhand wing – if he keeps playing as well as he has in the last month or so (16 consecutive sets won!), I think he will get revenge. Ivashka in 5
Damian: Ivashka’s Winston-Salem run last week destroyed his US Open chances, as the Belarusian is still going extremely strong at the moment. He might actually have a shot at the upset – with his power, he can stand up to Berrettini and the Italian has lost his way a bit since Wimbledon. Not by much, but Ivashka’s playing this well at the moment that it could be enough. Ivashka in 5
Aslan Karatsev vs Jenson Brooksby
Steen: Karatsev won their French Open meeting earlier this year, a five set win from two sets down over Jordan Thompson was a big comeback for the Russian player but may induce fatigue. Brooksby comes off a big win over fellow American Taylor Fritz and has had the better hard court summer of the two players in this matchup. Playing at home, Brooksby will have plenty of belief and should be able to will himself to a win, Karatsev can play like a top 10 player, but he struggles to do so consistently. Brooksby in 5
Jack: Aslan Karatsev vs Jenson Brooksby in the third-round of the US Open – what a difference a year makes. Karatsev is picking up the pieces of his form, saving two match points in his win against Jordan Thompson. Don’t expect this to be like their French Open meeting – Brooksby has grown over the last few months and should be able to pull the Russian’s often patchy game apart. Brooksby in 4
Damian: Karatsev won this one easily at the French Open, but it’s very unlikely to be this comfortable again. Brooksby is clearly the one on the rise, while the Russian has spent his first two rounds fighting his own issues. Karatsev is still extremely powerful off the ground, but it’s not going to be tougher to his through Brooksby’s defences this time around. The better player on the day takes it, but Brooksby has the benefit of shining under pressure. Brooksby in 5
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