{"id":9472,"date":"2018-08-26T14:37:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-26T18:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=9472"},"modified":"2018-10-23T16:28:55","modified_gmt":"2018-10-23T20:28:55","slug":"best-of-5-us-open-mens-day-1-predictions-including-stan-wawrinka-vs-grigor-dimitrov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2018\/08\/26\/best-of-5-us-open-mens-day-1-predictions-including-stan-wawrinka-vs-grigor-dimitrov\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of 5 US Open Men&#8217;s Day 1 Predictions Including Stan Wawrinka vs Grigor Dimitrov"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 2018 <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosontennis.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/us-open\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">US Open<\/a> starts Monday as top players like Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson will be in action. Our panelists offer up their previews and predictions for some of the best men&#8217;s matches on day 1.<\/p>\n<h3>Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1023936120\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 73.56902% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1023936120?et=BnmZKp1cQLpQgbtimc9d2g&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=J5SifTZoG-avdZEk3Aw2BNz3PzpGjH-OeWaa_MUlIBM=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"437\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracey Essex:\u00a0These two Spaniards have faced off 30 times and Nadal clearly leads with 80% of the wins. Certainly, Ferrer will make Nadal work for it, but with Nadal in top form we\u2019re not looking at an upset. While they\u2019re always fun to watch, don\u2019t expect to see more than three sets as Nadal will surely move on to the second round. <strong>Nadal in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Utkarsha Mitra:\u00a0I think Nadal. It\u2019s been a lacklustre season for Ferrer, and I\u2019m afraid his final Grand Slam isn\u2019t going to change it, even if he leads Rafa 2-0 in hard court Grand Slams. Nadal is too good at the moment to lose in first round. <strong>Nadal in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brett Margolies:\u00a0You don&#8217;t often get a grand slam final rematch in the first round of a tournament. Ferrer just hasn&#8217;t been able to get anything going as his career winds down. This is a nightmare first round match for him, maybe Nadal will be feeling generous to his good friend, but this should be straight sets. <strong>Nadal in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Karen Khachanov vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1015364676\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 62.62626% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1015364676?et=Uv4GJFSiS09rl18DL0p3yg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=TTxhLm4xdsF5-88A4flYDErHwrB-MaN1fi8jGomcDZU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"372\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracey:\u00a0Karen Khachanov has the game, the skill and the desire to make a deep run at the US Open. His first round opponent, Ramos-Vinolas should allow him an easy move to the second round. <strong>Khachanov in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Utkarsha:\u00a0Ramos Vinolas\u2019 recent form hasn\u2019t been great, including his loss to Khachanov their Cincinnati matchup a couple of weeks back. Khachanov, on the other hand, has played an attacking game lately with a strong mindset. <strong>Khachanov in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brett:\u00a0Ramos-Vinolas was able to challenge a tired Khachanov the other week in Cincinnati but wasn&#8217;t able to pull off the upset. Look for Khachanov&#8217;s good summer to continue; I don&#8217;t think Ramos-Vinolas will be much of a threat. <strong>Khachanov in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Kevin Anderson vs Ryan Harrison<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1015223258\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 67.676765% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1015223258?et=QmwRzqhjTkpK66KMj8lvuA&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=b7GbZRjJD1z_djZyC6b3rPU7xzqZR_ggQ2VoobFEPwM=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"402\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracey:\u00a0When big serving South African takes on the erstwhile American, it\u2019s definitely a match worth watching. But, Kevin Anderson has been playing the best tennis of his career, and you never know who\u2019s going to show up when Ryan Harrison steps on the court. Harrison\u2019s speed and serve will allow him to make it a match, but it will most likely end with Anderson coming through. <strong>Anderson in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Utkarsha:\u00a0It\u2019s been an exciting season for Anderson, much better than the last. Can\u2019t say the same for Harrison. Anderson\u2019s overall game and confidence is too high at the moment. <strong>Anderson in 3<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brett:\u00a0I don&#8217;t think Kevin Anderson will be too happy with having to face Ryan Harrison in the first round. Harrison will find a way to play to the home crowd and will manage to keep it close against a player in Anderson who&#8217;s playing the best tennis of his career at the moment. A couple points here, and there will decide the match, I think Harrison pulls off what will likely be the biggest upset of the first round. <strong>Harrison in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Denis Shapovalov vs Felix Auger Aliassime<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1014153210\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 68.85522% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1014153210?et=_rd1bLGcRbF889_uqA_XTw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=OSB75V460PkUMgZvBIi6RI4RkjsimMYoLI6h-tUbnFU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"409\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracey:\u00a0Countrymen Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime are the rising stars in Canadian tennis. Yet, the first round sees them on opposite ends of the court. You can expect a close match. Shapovalov lacks consistency but often finds his way through tough matches thanks to his powerful forehand. Auger-Aliassime is still looking to break through and doesn\u2019t have the tour experience of Shapovalov. <strong>Shapovalov in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Utkarsha:\u00a0The hottest 1st Round men\u2019s match at the US Open this year. Felix is probably the brightest \u2018kid\u2019 right now, and running high at the back of his fine qualifying performance last week. Shapovalov\u2019s season has been topsy-turvy; hasn\u2019t been his best on hard courts. <strong>Auger Aliassime in 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brett:\u00a0This is a matchup we&#8217;ll see a lot of in the future. Everyone&#8217;s heard the stories on how close these two are so it&#8217;ll be interesting to see how they handle playing against each other. I would give a slight advantage to Felix based on his form in qualifying. He looks to be due for his first grand slam win. <strong>Auger Aliassime in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Stan Wawrinka vs Grigor Dimitrov<\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1017872718\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1017872718?et=BTNgFMlgRt9xNnfNm4W4Og&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=sJ-S9LvJVhF4Mt2D4ZXiW90Wn07CkNSjMl_RPiI5Jqo=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tracey:\u00a0Hard to believe this is a first-round match. These top players usually meet up in a quarter or semi match. But, Stan\u2019s wildcard entry puts him on a tough path from the start. Dimitrov\u2019s 2018 hasn\u2019t gone as well as he\u2019d hoped and his confidence falters in the biggest moments. Wielding one of the best backhands in men\u2019s tennis, Wawrinka has the tools to take out Dimitrov in straight sets. These two will fight it out but we\u2019ll see Wawrinka come through. <strong>Wawrinka in 5<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Utkarsha:\u00a0Again, recent form is key. Wawrinka has looked good, Dimitrov not so much. And, Stan will probably be more confident about this matchup because of their Wimbledon meeting and his US Open exploits in the past. <strong>Wawrinka in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brett:\u00a0Stan Wawrinka was able to get past Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon when Wawrinka was far from playing his best tennis. He&#8217;s found some form on the US hardcourts this summer which doesn&#8217;t bode well for Dimitrov. Wawrinka plays his best when it matters the most, so I think he pulls off the &#8220;upset.&#8221; <strong>Wawrinka in 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1017377392\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1017377392?et=JLVX5slFSLFJbsidz_V7Bw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=WLvJJoDTwMmXDqseQ4t4HQcZaf59siNv4eHJFeqkVEQ=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2018 US Open starts Monday as top players like Rafael Nadal and Kevin Anderson will be in action. Our panelists offer up their previews and predictions for some of the best men&#8217;s matches on day 1. Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer Embed from Getty Images Tracey Essex:\u00a0These two Spaniards have faced off 30 times [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1442,"featured_media":9473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3,2,69],"tags":[3324,3623,776,1115,135,115,43,3624,3625,3616],"class_list":["post-9472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-open","category-atp","category-featured","category-predictions","tag-2018-us-open","tag-2018-us-open-predictions","tag-denis-shapovalov","tag-kevin-anderson","tag-rafael-nadal","tag-stan-wawrinka","tag-us-open","tag-us-open-betting","tag-us-open-gambling","tag-us-open-predictions"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1442"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9472\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}