US Open action is back on Day 4 with 16 men’s second-round matches. With some of the top players in the world taking the court, these matches will surely deliver fireworks. As always, we at LWOT have our roundtable predictions for every match on the slate. Other prediction pieces feature Hubert Hurkacz vs Jordan Thompson, Daniil Medvedev vs Fabian Marozsan, and Carlos Alcaraz vs Botic van de Zandschulp. Ateet Shrivastava, Tope Oke, and Damian Kust give their insights. Who will advance to the third round?
US Open Day 4 Men’s Predictions
Arthur Fils vs Gabriel Diallo
Ateet
Arthur Fils was the favourite to beat the in-form Learner Tien and he showed great focus and did not panic in longer rallies. That performance makes him a healthy favourite against Diallo, who hits hard off both wings but is less consistent than the Frenchman.
Prediction: Fils in 4
Tope
Two big servers square up for a place in the third round. The young debutant Diallo will pose a stern challenge serving from his 6ft 8in frame, Fils will be fired up to better his second round exit here last year.
Prediction: Fils in 5
Damian
This should be fun with how athletic they both are. Diallo had to go for his shots in the Munar opener and managed to prevail, but he was struggling with something physical near the end. Fils is a more versatile player and unless the Canadian can direct a lot of flat firepower at this forehand, being a more finished product should mean a lot here.
Prediction: Fils in 4
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Nuno Borges
Ateet
Kokkinakis got a great win against Tsitsipas as he kept peppering Tsitsipas’ backhand who made errors during crucial moments. Kokkinakis did well to save some breakpoints in the third set, which proved extremely important. Nuno Borges has fewer offensive capabilities than Tsitsipas but he is more reliable and it’s harder to break him down. Borges has been consistent this year and I can see a tough match for both players here.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Tope
A fit Kokkinakis is capable of challenging anyone on tour and he showed why he is highly rated with an assured display against Stefanos Tsitsipas. On the back of that performance, the Australian is the one to back against an equally capable Nuno Borges.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Damian
Kokkinakis defeating Tsitsipas can hardly even be considered an upset right now, but there is something that’s changed about the Australian’s motivation and focus of late. He’s coming off a great Cincinnati run and if he’s ever going to be a threat at the top level more consistently, matches like this one he absolutely needs to be winning.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 4
Jakub Mensik vs Tristan Schoolkate
Ateet
Jakub Mensik pulled off an upset against Felix Auger-Aliassime to get his first top-20 win in a Slam. There were some injury and form concerns for Mensik but he looked at his best and outplayed the Canadian in every department. Tristan Schoolkate made a brilliant comeback from two sets down in his first-ever main draw match at a Slam. However, he doesn’t have the consistency to stay with Mensik.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Tope
This promises to be an exciting match between two youngsters. Mensik produced the result of the previous round with a complete annihilation of Felix Auger – Aliassime while Schoolkate showed remarkable resilience to mount a comeback from two sets down to win on his debut against veteran Daniel Taro. I don’t think lightning will strike twice. Mensik is the more experienced and talented player.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Damian
Mensik had a couple of tough months, but the raw potential is still there. His opening-round win over Auger-Aliassime was more on the Canadian delivering a very low-quality performance, but it’s tough to understand what exactly Schoolkate can do to make the young Czech uncomfortable. He’s too good a scrambler.
Prediction: Mensik in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Alex Michelsen
Ateet
Sinner did ever so well to escape a stranglehold from McDonald in the first round. The American was playing some of his best tennis ever for a set and a half but Sinner did well to stay with him and pounced when he saw the opportunity. He will face another American, who has won many matches recently. Michelsen would be tough but Sinner should win this as he did in Cincinnati.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Tope
To be the youngest in the top 50 shows how Alex Michelsen’s career has blossomed over the past year. He was on the verge of winning his first title on tour a few days ago before somehow capitulating against Lorenzo Sonego in the final. While I think he is capable of snatching a set against Sinner, considering how close their encounter was a fortnight ago, the world #1 will continue his quest to win his second Slam title.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Damian
There are some small question marks regarding Sinner’s physicality and also how he’ll handle all the media mess that’s happening around him right now. Michelsen is a talented youngster who could get him into a bit of trouble like Cincinnati, but actually beating Sinner seems out of his range at the moment.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
