No Rafael Nadal at the US Open this year, but there is India’s Sumit Nagal, who faces Dominic Thiem, Alex de Minaur takes on veteran Richard Gasquet. Our panel of Jim Smith and Yesh Ginsburg predicts this and other US Open matches on day 4.
Sumit Nagal vs Dominic Thiem
Jim: Thiem has not quite yet found his range on the quick courts in New York and made rather heavy weather of his first-round clash with Jaume Munar, eventually advancing when the Spaniard retired trailing 6-7 3-6. Nagal, meanwhile, impressed in beating Bradley Klahn in four sets. But will he have the firepower to hit through the Austrian? Probably not, but don’t be surprised if he runs Thiem close. Thiem in 5
Yesh: Thiem-Nadal? Close, but not quite. Sumit Nagal is working on making a name for himself outside the fact that it sounds close to Nadal, but he won’t do it by beating Thiem. Thiem in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Gregoire Barrere
Jim: Rublev’s US Open preparations did not go to plan, but the Russian was back to his best in beating Jeremy Chardy in straight sets in the first round. Barrere, meanwhile, claimed a very creditable four-set win over Taro Daniel to reach the second round in New York for the second time. But it is hard to see him giving Rublev too much trouble. Rublev in 3
Yesh: Rublev is quietly becoming one of the better players on tour, and he’s a possible threat to win this tournament. I don’t think Barrere can stick with him. Rublev in 3
Alex de Minaur vs Richard Gasquet
Jim: De Minaur looked some way off the pace in losing to Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round last week at the Cincinnati Masters. But the Australian went on to win the doubles with Pablo Carreno Busta and that match practice looks to have helped him. He certainly looked much sharper in his first-round win over Andrej Martin. If he can maintain that level he should have too much for Gasquet. de Minaur in 4
Yesh: Both of these players are in solid form, though Gasquet is nowhere near as good as he once was. Still the potential is there to spring the upset over the rising Aussie, who hasn’t nearly found his peak yet. Gasquet in 5
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Casper Ruud
Jim: This looks like a very intriguing match on paper. Ruusuvuori, who was on the cusp of establishing himself as a tour-level regular before the pandemic struck, has not missed a beat since the season returned. His five-set win over Aljaz Bedene was another very impressive performance. Ruud, meanwhile, showed impressive grit in battling back from two-sets down to beat Mackenzie McDonald. But the Finn is in the better form and should be the man to book his place in the third round. Ruusuvuori in 4
Yesh: Both of these players went to five sets in their openers, but Ruusuvuori looked better in his. Ruud would probably still be in this tournament had Mackenzie McDonald not run out of gas. This probably comes down to fitness, but on current level I have to go with the Finn. Ruusuvuori in 4
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