Day six at the US Open will see the bottom half of the men’s draw battle for a place in the second week in Flushing Meadows. There is set to be no shortage of entertaining action, with former-champions Rafael Nadal and Marin Cilic in action, whilst Nick Kyrgios is set for a blockbuster clash with Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev will take on Andrey Rublev. Here at LWOT, we are offering predictions for all eight matches. Giving their picks for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Harsh Bhoot and Damian Kust.
US Open Day Six Predictions
John Isner vs Marin Cilic
Jim: John Isner’s struggles at the US Open are well-documented, but the American has made a good start to his 2019 campaign, beating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Jan-Lennard Struff in straight-sets. Cilic, meanwhile, rallied past Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in four. This one looks set to be a close contest, but Cilic is the more versatile of the two and owns a healthy head-to-head advantage.
Prediction: Cilic in 5
Harsh: A definite must-watch third-round clash. Isner has had a better year, but Cilic knows what it takes to win here. Their last six meetings have been split 3-3. This match may very well go the distance and with two huge servers, a final set tiebreak is a possibility as well. Neither have any form to bank on coming into this year’s Open. It’s an extremely tough, call but Isner has looked more comfortable on the court. Expect the American to edge this one.
Prediction: Isner in 5
Damian: Both aren’t enjoying their best seasons, whether it is due to injuries in the case of Isner or because just they can’t find their game like Cilic. The American looked great against Jan-Lennard Struff and if he can find another performance like that, he should be the one to earn the dubious honour of playing Nadal in the fourth round.
Prediction: Isner in 4
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Pablo Andujar vs Alexander Bublik
Jim: After a great start to the North American summer swing, Alexander Bublik stalled a little. But he has dug out two gritty five-set wins in New York to reach the third round. But will that leave him short of energy up against Pablo Andujar? The Spaniard played a five-setter himself in the first round, but backed that up with a swift 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Lorenzo Sonego in the second. He has been striking the ball with conviction and looks in good shape to reach the second week.
Prediction: Andujar in 5
Harsh: Following the exit of Dominic Thiem, this section of the draw has really opened up. Few expected Bublik to reach the third round given his 2019. On the other hand, Pablo Andujar has battled impressively and seems to be enjoying his time on the court. The Spaniard should be winning this pair’s first encounter, especially after the supreme performance he put in against Sonego.
Prediction: Andujar in 3
Damian: Andujar’s success at this year’s US Open has been quite surprising and he has a great shot to keep going. Bublik’s game is wildly inconsistent and the Spaniard is usually as solid as a rock. The Kazakh played two five-setters in his first two round and he might run out of steam if this one threatens to go the distance again.
Prediction: Andujar in 4
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexei Popyrin
Jim: This battle of the big-hitters should feature no shortage of winners. Of the two, Alexei Popyrin probably has the greater upside and the young gun has impressively dropped just one set so far. Matteo Berrettini, meanwhile, is in the midst of a superb summer and has that much more experience than the Australian. Expect that to give him the decisive edge.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
Harsh: Popyrin has taken full advantage of Roberto Bautista Agut’s first-round exit. The young Aussie has plenty of quality, but against Berrettini, will most likely fall short. The Italian has had a great 2019, winning two titles, though not on a hard court, and he looked confident in beating Richard Gasquet and Jordan Thompson. It won’t come easy for Berrettini against a player of Popyrin’s quality, but I’m backing the Italian to come out of this as the victor.
Prediction: Berrettini in 5
Damian: The Australian came back from 2-6 3-5 down against Mikhail Kukushkin to win that match in four. He has now won at least one match at every slam in 2019 and is undoubtedly a very talented player. But, if Berrettini’s serve and forehand are firing like they were in the first two rounds, Popyrin’s defensive skills might not be sufficient to keep up with the Italian
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
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Rafael Nadal vs Hyeon Chung
Jim: After an exceedingly difficult 18 months following his breakthrough run to the Australian Open semifinals, it’s good to see Hyeon Chung back making an impact on the tour. But whilst the Korean impressed in coming through the qualifying before battling back from two-sets down in the second round, facing Nadal is a massive step up in quality. One he doesn’t seem likely to make successfully.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
Harsh: While Nadal didn’t break a sweat getting a walkover, Chung played one of the matches of the tournament erasing a two-sets-to-love deficit against Verdasco. Chung seems to be slowly recapturing his best tennis winning through qualifying, but Nadal won’t be relinquishing his lead as his compatriot did. The South Korean can certainly make things interesting for a set, but Rafa should make it 3-0 head to head versus Chung.
Prediction: Nadal in 4
Damian: Chung hasn’t been playing as well as he was in qualifying, but he’s through to the third round with five-set victories over Ernesto Escobedo and Verdasco. It’s still very early in his comeback and the lack of firepower he has off the ground, combined with possible fatigue factor, will see him fail to seriously trouble the great Spaniard.
Prediction: Nadal in 3
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