The third round concludes on Day 6 of the US Open, and we will be treated to eight matches Saturday as we see who reaches the Round of 16. What will this half of the draw bring now that Carlos Alcaraz has been shockingly bounced from the tournament. Will the favorites stabilize the course? Or are more upsets to come? Our writers share their thoughts on all eight matches. We split the matches between two articles, with the other featuring Daniel Medvedev vs Flavio Cobolli. Predicting these matches are Damian Kust, Tope Oke, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 6 Men’s Predictions
Nuno Borges vs Jakub Mensik
Damian:
Mensik survived a thriller against Schoolkate in the second round and got through on sheer willpower. He’ll need to raise his level against Borges, who’s playing with lots of confidence since picking up that maiden title over Nadal in Bastad. Fortunately for the Czech, he’s got lots of raw potential and quality he can potentially find for this one.
Prediction: Mensik in 5
Tope:
Nuno Borges is one of a handful of players yet to drop a set in New York. This is hinged on his tremendous service that has only been broken thrice. Jakub Mensik has made it to the third round of yet another Slam but he struggled to get past a less-fancied Tristan Schoolkate after his emphatic win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the opener. He will probably nick a set in this but Borges has been far too solid.
Prediction: Borges in 4
Yesh:
Mensik is a rising talent but he much prefers the clay to any other surface. Borges, meanwhile, was a college tennis standout, which always gives an advantage on the US Open courts.
Prediction: Borges in 3
David Goffin vs Tomas Machac
Damian:
This one was pretty crazy at Wimbledon as Machac came back from two sets down and then 0-5 in the deciding set. The Czech should be the favorite in this one at this stage of their careers, but that London affair makes you wonder. They both love taking the ball early and whoever does it more effectively will be dominating.
Prediction: Machac in 4
Tope:
Two dark horses of this tournament meet in what should be an exciting encounter. I’m quickly going to go with Machac in this simply because of his service that has just been taken from him twice. His win over Sebastian Korda was a flawless spectacle and I expect his match against Goffin to be over quickly.
Prediction: Machac in 3
Yesh:
Goffin was in an abyss for a few years, but he has restored his form with a vengeance this week. If he keeps playing like this, it will take a top player to beat him. And while Machac is a top doubles player, he isn’t in singles.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Alex de Minaur vs Daniel Evans
Damian:
Evans recovered well from his marathon clash vs Khachanov, but now he’s facing the big test with the first in-form player on his path. Fatigue questions don’t really matter here anymore, what’s more important is the Brit’s ability to keep pulling off miracles in an otherwise weak season. The extremely solid de Minaur will likely prevail.
Prediction: de Minaur in 4
Tope:
Somehow, I feel this is a winnable match for Daniel Evans if he can sustain the stamina to relentlessly attack the Australian’s baseline game. He’s won both of their previous matches on hardcourts and leads the head-to-head. De Minaur will be difficult to crack but the tenacious Evans can do it.
Prediction Evans in 5
Yesh:
Evans seems to be playing reasonably well this week, but de Minaur has looked like a top player for most of this season, especially recently. It’s going to be very tough for Evans to keep up with the Aussie’s power and all-court ability.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O’Connell
Damian:
Sinner crushed Michelsen in the second round and especially with Alcaraz now out of the tournament, it’s getting progressively tougher to find a rival who’s going to have a shot at eliminating him before the final. It most likely won’t be O’Connell, despite the Australian’s fine effort and grinding down Bellucci with his slice. That shouldn’t work vs Sinner.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Tope:
The Australian will feel confident stepping on court on the back of two tidy wins and with the fact he has traded wins with Jannik Sinner, however this is different ballgame altogether. The world #1 surrendered a set in his opener but was at his devastating best against the in-form Alex Michelsen in the next game. I expect the same performance here.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Yesh:
Sinner started slow in the first round against Mackenzie McDonald, but he’s seemed like himself since then. That’s trouble for the vast majority of players in the draw, including O’Connell.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
