Expect an entertaining day three at the US Open with 16 intriguing second-round matches on the slate in New York. As ever, As always, we here at LWOT are offering our previews and predictions for every match on the schedule, including Daniil Medvedev vs Arthur Rinderknech, Casper Ruud vs Tim van Rijthoven and Andy Murray vs Emilio Nava. But who will reach the last 32?
US Open Day 3 Predictions
Nick Kyrgios vs Benjamin Bonzi
Yesh: Nick Kyrgios came out firing against his best friend, and he looks focused and locked in on winning. That’s a terrifying prospect for the rest of the tour.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 3
Jakub: Kyrgios came through an “uncomfortable” first-round match against his best friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets and will now face Benjamin Bonzi who took out his compatriot Ugo Humbert in five. It’s all about what kind of Kyrgios turns up on the day but the Australian should have enough to win if he brings the same level from the first round.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
Jack: Though we’ve been denied another Nick Kyrgios/Ugo Humbert showdown, Benjamin Bonzi is a good substitute. He should be good enough to challenge Kyrgios over the course of three tight sets – no more than that however as the Aussie showed he is in no mood to mess about in his tidy win over his doubles partner Kokkinakis.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 3
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Karen Khachanov vs Thiago Monteiro
Yesh: Karen Khachanov hasn’t played well this summer, but he’s good a clean, big game and his opponent prefers the clay. The Russian should survive this.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Jakub: Khachanov struggled in the lead-up but has a good chance to win back-to-back matches for the first time since Hamburg. The Russian took out Denis Kudla in the first round and now faces Thiago Monteiro. The Brazilian beat Alex Molcan, finally getting his first US Open main draw win in five appearances. Khachanov should be winning here.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Jack: As is frequently the case at the Slams, Khachanov may be going under many people’s radars. Thiago Monteiro is as solid as they come but, after a slow start, Khachanov’s win over Denis Kudla was one-way traffic. Don’t sleep on the powerful Russian this fortnight.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
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Matteo Berrettini vs Hugo Grenier
Yesh: Matteo Berrettini is working his way back from injury. He’s one of the best in the world when he’s healthy, and the American courts love his game. Expect a good performance here.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Jakub: Berrettini came into the Open after two losses and no wins in the lead-up but quickly left it behind with a strong win over Nicolas Jarry. Hugo Grenier came in as a lucky loser and took advantage by beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Frenchman has an interesting game but Berrettini should keep this match under control.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Jack: It’s difficult to gauge how well Berrettini is playing. He’s 1-2 on hard-courts since the grass season finished but he lost to tough opposition (Frances Tiafoe and Pablo Carreno Busta). His first-round win over Nicolas Jarry doesn’t really tell us a whole lot either. If there are any cracks in his game, lucky loser Hugo Grenier may have the serve to take advantage for a set. Most likely though, questions over Berrettini’s form will only be answered in the third-round.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
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Tommy Paul vs Sebastian Korda
Yesh: Neither of these young Americans looked great in the first round. Sebastian Korda certainly has the much higher upside, but health and poor form have hurt him this year. Tommy Paul is the safer pick, if not necessarily the better one under normal circumstances.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Jakub: An interesting all-American clash. Both players dropped sets to clay court specialist, Korda beating Facundo Bagnis in four and Paul taking out Bernabe Zapata Miralles in five. As Korda won all three of their previous meetings last season, the 22-year-old is the favorite for me.
Prediction: Korda in 5
Jack: Somehow, both Korda and Paul survived very slow starts. If there is any hangover effect, it’ll be most likely to affect Paul who has to take the credit for the most enthralling men’s first-round of the tournament so far. At the same time, Paul arguably played the better tennis of the two players to eventually seal the match. I’ll trust in Paul’s fitness to allow him to bounce back fresh and for his tennis to be the slightly cleaner of the two given his performance against Zapata Miralles.
Prediction: Paul in 4
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