Some of the best one-handed backhands in tennis will be on display on day 2 of the US Open with Denis Shapovalov and Dan Evans on the match card. We have predictions for every day 2 match in New York including Jenson Brooksby and Rafael Nadal’s first round matches.
Denis Shapovalov vs Marc-Andrea Huesler
Glenys Furness: The Canadian is seeded and has lots of Grand Slam experience. His run up to Flushing Meadows has not been the greatest though. However, best of five is different. Shapovalov relishes the Slams as his better results come in them. Huesler made the semi final in Winston Salem and lost in a very tight match. Shapovalov in 4
David Gertler: Shapovalov seems to have at least somewhat found his form during the summer hard-court swing, finding a bit more consistency from the baseline. The big-serving left Huesler is having a nice week in Winston-Salem, but it might be too much tennis for the Swiss. Huesler’s backhand will also be the weakest shot on the court. Shapovalov in 4
Damian Kust: Denis Shapovalov finally got a couple of wins in Cincinnati, but he’s still vulnerable to early upsets. Both players have an all-or-nothing playstyle and if Marc-Andrea Huesler can expose the Canadian’s return issues, he’s got every chance of winning this one. Shapovalov should be slightly stronger mentally. Shapovalov in 5
Dan Evans vs Jiri Vesely
Glenys: The Brit is seeded at the US Open again. The Brit has never been beyond the fourth round. Evans made the semi final at the Canadian Open. Vesely has only ever made the second round here and never any further. The Brit will be full of confidence from the semi final in Canada, despite losing early in Cincinnati. Evans in 3
David: Evans is a crafty fighter and will extend rallies against Vesely and work the Czech around the court. Vesely is a slow and not in great shape nowadays, which Evans will take big advantage of. Evans in 3
Damian: Jiri Vesely has the obvious arguments to play well on hard courts, but he’s rarely fit enough to be a big threat. Especially in the best-of-five format, the Czech could struggle with Dan Evans constantly forcing him to bend the knees low with the knifing slice. Evans in 4
Daniel Altmaier vs Jannik Sinner
Glenys: Altmaier has lost in the first round of the two lead up events that he has taken part in. This has not been ideal preparation for the German. Sinner has fared better. Seeded in Cincinnati the Italian made the third round. Sinner is seeded here at Flushing Meadows and should have little problem with Altmaier. Sinner in 4
David: Altmaier is not having a great season and his backhand can be exploited. Sinner’s backhand is amongst the best on the ATP Tour and he is playing with the controlled aggression necessary to go deep at the US Open. This will be a mismatch. Sinner in 3
Damian: Daniel Altmaier has bounced off the main tour a bit this year, not really able to get wins consistently. Jannik Sinner very rarely loses in the first two rounds and this is not going to be one of these occasions. He should be comfortable here. Sinner in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Taro Daniel
Glenys: Gasquet is a regular on the tour and a firm favourite with fans. The Frenchman made the semi final here in 2013 and will want to progress further than last year when he lost in the first round. Gasquet reached the quarter final in Winston Salem so has had a fairly good build up. Daniel lost in the first round of the same event. Before that the Japanese lost in the first round of qualifying in Cincinnati.
Gasquet in 4
David: Gasquet is not in the shape that he once was, but he can still last in the best-of-five format and his one-handed backhand is a very dangerous shot. Daniel’s backhand is also fairly strong, but he is not a well-rounded enough player to take out the Frenchman. Gasquet in 4
Damian: This one is very unclear. Richard Gasquet had a great week in Winston-Salem, but it was all in deciding sets and could leave him a bit gassed here. Taro Daniel hasn’t been on fire recently, but his improved serve has already granted him plenty of good hard court results this year already. Daniel in 5
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