Round 3 at the 2019 US Open features Roger Federer and Daniil Medvedev looking to continue their run of form against Dan Evans and Feliciano Lopez respectively. Jim Smith and Damian Kust also have predictions for matches featuring Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori.
Roger Federer vs Dan Evans
Damian: Even if the Swiss has a sloppy start again, this isn’t an opponent who will blow him off the court. The Brit has a great slice and dice game, but this playstyle won’t work against Federer who grew up in the end of the serve-and-volley era and knows how to handle Evans’s tactics. Federer in 3
Jim: Dan Evans gave Federer a good match earlier this season at the Australian Open without ever really looking like he would win this match. He may take comfort from the fact that the Swiss has looked far from his brilliant best heading into this match. But it would still the performance of Evans’ life and one of Federer’s worst for the Briton to win this match. Don’t be surprised if he picks up a set though. Federer in 4
David Goffin vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Damian: Goffin dismantled Gregoire Barrere in 88 minutes today, showing some great tennis along the way. It will a baseline battle against the Spaniard, who managed to turn his season around and is playing at a very high level as well. Goffin has much more weapons in his arsenal and his ability to take the ball on the rise will be useful to shorten the points and break Carreno Busta’s baseline rhythm. Goffin in 4
Jim: Carreno Busta has had a great summer on the hard courts of North America and delivered another assured display to oust Ricardis Berankis in four sets in the second round. But he may well be in for a tough day against the in-form David Goffin, who crushed Gregoire Barrere 6-2 6-2 6-2 in the round of 64. If the Belgian continues to hit the ball as sweetly as he has done over the past few weeks, expect him to prove too strong for Carreno Busta. Goffin in 4
Stan Wawrinka vs Paolo Lorenzi
Damian: There’s no way the 37-year-old Italian will be fresh enough on the legs to stand a chance against the Swiss. Lorenzi endured a four and a half hour battle against Zachary Svajda on Monday before overcoming Miomir Kecmanovic in almost five hours today. The Italian is a player with no real weapons, who wins matches by fighting for every point and doing so after two exhausting grindfests will be impossible at his age. Wawrinka in 3
Jim: Wawrinka has not yet been at his awe-inspiring best at the US Open, but he has played well enough to get across the line without too many difficulties in his first two matches. Lorenzi, meanwhile, showed once again why he should never be underestimated with a battling display to oust Serbian young gun Miomir Kecmanovic in five. But it is a big ask for him to return without a day’s rest. Wawrinka in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Feliciano Lopez
Damian: The last month’s best player dropped a set against Hugo Dellien yesterday, but It’s not time to pound the alarm yet. It’s clear that the conditions in Cincinnati suited Medvedev’s game better, however, the Russian is a fantastic counterpuncher and Feliciano Lopez won’t be able to find a way to avoid baseline rallies on this slow and high-bouncing surface. Medvedev in 3
Jim: Having looked to be in a commanding position after two sets, Cincinnati champion Medvedev had to survive a late fightback from Hugo Dellien before winning in four. The Russian has done a lot of winning lately and that served him in good stead against Dellien. He will need to be at his sharpest again when he faces the veteran Spaniard Lopez, but winning tends to be contagious. Medvedev in 4
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