Round 2 action begins at the US Open with Jack Sock and Denis Shapovalov on the match card. Sock is looking to continue to his return to the top levels of men’s tennis. Damian Kust, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jim Smith offer their predictions.
Kwon Soon-woo vs Denis Shapovalov
Yesh: Kwon overcame an inspired attempt by Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, while Shapovalov only struggled for a bit against Sebastian Korda. The Canadian is more talented and should move on. Shapovalov in 4
Damian: The Canadian has gotten us used to weird losses and struggling in the early stages of tournaments. However, it appears that working with Mikhail Youzhny has made him find some extra patience we’ve not seen before. Shapovalov is now more aware of his shot selection and point construction, which is exactly what he needs to consistently win matches like these. Shapovalov in 3
Jim: Shapovalov may slightly hard work of his first-round win over Sebastian Korda, but managed to advance in four sets. Kwon, meanwhile, got the better of Thai-son Kwiatkowski, finishing strongly to see off the American 3-6 7-6 6-1 6-2. But will he be able to hurt Shapovalov? His consistency could frustrate the Canadian, but if Shapovalov is focused this is a more than winnable match for a player of his quality. Shapovalov in 4
Juan Ignacio Londero vs Borna Coric
Yesh: Londero’s breakthrough continues, but he’s much more comfortable on clay. Coric shouldn’t have any trouble dismissing this match. Coric in 3
Damian: Coric’s win over Pablo Andujar was tougher than the scoreline suggests. The Croat is not yet where he wants to be with his game. That said, this is still a very good draw for him against an opponent who is yet to leave a lasting impression on this surface. Expect Coric to get through in another rather ugly, yet effective display. Coric in 3
Jim: Coric scored a much-needed win over Pablo Andujar in the first round, dismissing the Spaniard in straight sets. But he may not find things quite so straightforward when he takes on Londero, who has established himself as a reliable performer on hard courts of late. But Coric is the better player of the two and his linear shots and superior serve should give him the edge. Coric in 5
Cristian Garin vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Yesh: Garin pulled off the two-sets-down comeback in Round 1, but he did not at all look good in the process. Kukushkin, meanwhile, looks solid but not great. Expect another tight one here. Garin in 5
Damian: Christian Garin was down two sets to Ulises Blanch but shook off the rust in time. Still, this has the potential to be very tricky. Kukushkin’s unusual flat strokes have stopped many men in Grand Slam draws before and the Kazakh is sort of known for overperforming at the Majors. With Garin not where he was in February, this screams upset alert to me. Kukushkin in 5
Jim: This looks like a tricky test for Garin. The Chilean crashed out in the first round at the Cincinnati Masters, but rebounded to beat Ulises Blanch in five sets in his first match at the US Open. But don’t expect him to advance any further. Kukushkin’s powers may be on the wane, but the quick courts in New York should suit his flat groundstrokes. Kukushkin in 4
Jack Sock vs Adrian Mannarino
Yesh: Sock is finally winning matches again, at least sometimes, but he’s a shadow of his former singles self. Mannarino threw away a set in his opening match, but he won’t do more than that this time. Mannarino in 4
Damian: The American needed both some great fitness and mental toughness to beat Pablo Cuevas in five sets, breaking the Uruguayan when he was serving for the match. Sock looks to finally be in the right mindset and with everyone still rusty after the break, that might help him start getting back to the top of the game. This looks like a decent opportunity against a solid, yet not that dangerous opponent. Sock in 4
Jim: Sock did well to grind out a five-set win over Pablo Cuevas in the first round, particularly as he is a player whose attitude has been questioned at times. But it is hard to see him getting the better of Mannarino. The Frenchman is an excellent competitor and has the defensive skills to frustrate the big-hitting Sock, who may well have to contend with fatigue after his first-round exertions. Mannarino in 4
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