Ricky’s US Open Tennis Preview and Picks for Day 1 • Medvedev, Rublev, and Tsitsipas vs. Murray

By Ricky Dimon

The 2021 U.S. Open will get underway on Monday, when Ivo Karlovic could also be taking part in the ultimate match of his prolonged profession. Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Andy Murray are additionally taking the courtroom.

Ricky previews three of the marquee matchups and makes his picks.

(5) Andrey Rublev vs. (Q) Ivo Karlovic

Though there have been no confirmed stories, Karlovic is predicted to announce his retirement following his run on the U.S. Open. And it has already been a profitable one for the 42-year-old, who certified for the primary draw with defeats of Nikola Milojevic, Hugo Dellien, and Yuichi Sugita. Karlovic is ranked 223rd and he has gained simply two ATP-level matches this yr.

The 6’11” Croat’s reward for qualification will not be precisely what he had in thoughts, as Rublev is without doubt one of the hardest potential opponents within the subject. The seventh-ranked Russian leads the tour with 67 match wins previously 52 weeks and he simply reached the Cincinnati last (upset Medvedev within the semis earlier than falling to Alexander Zverev). Karlovic’s serve might hold him aggressive for some time, however he hasn’t confronted anybody within the high 35 since January of 2020 so that is going to be a impolite awakening for the veteran. Rely on Rublev sending Karlovic right into a well-deserved retirement in principally routine style.

Choose: Rublev in 3

Richard Gasquet vs. (2) Daniil Medvedev

The following step for Medvedev to take is profitable a Grand Slam title. He has achieved nearly all the pieces else, together with 4 Masters 1000 triumphs (most not too long ago in Toronto a couple of weeks in the past), a victory on the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals, and two main runner-up performances (2019 U.S. Open, 2020 Australian Open). The second-ranked Russian, who made it again to the U.S. Open semis final summer time, heads to New York this time round because the No. 2 seed and second favourite behind Novak Djokovic. Medvedev boasts a 40-10 document this season and he’s 18-3 in his final 21 matches relationship again to the week earlier than Wimbledon.

Up first for Medvedev is a 3rd profession assembly with Gasquet. The top-to-head sequence stands at one win apiece; Gasquet prevailed 6-0, 6-3 on the 2018 Montpellier event earlier than Medvedev obtained the job achieved 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 two years later in St. Petersburg–additionally indoors. At 35 years previous, the Frenchman arrives in NYC with a lackluster rating of 82nd on the earth. He’s taking part in respectable for the time being, although, with a latest runner-up exhibiting on the clay courts of Umag and a quarterfinal effort in Winston-Salem. Nonetheless, Gasquet struggled bodily all through his week in Winston-Salem and a best-of-five battle with Medvedev is simply concerning the hardest bodily take a look at one can have. It’s onerous to see this one being particularly aggressive; anticipate Gasquet to put on down because the match progresses.

Choose: Medvedev in 3

Andy Murray vs. (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas

Murray’s comeback from hip surgical procedure has been commendable and at occasions spectacular, however one apparent shortcoming within the latter phases of his profession is an incapacity to compete with high competitors. Since Could of 2017 the 34-year-old Scot has defeated just one top-10 opponent (Alexander Zverev on the 2020 Cincinnati Masters). He has knocked off simply two top-20 gamers relationship again to October of 2019 (Zverev and Stan Wawrinka). Murray is a modest 6-6 on the primary tour in 2021 and heads into the U.S. Open at No. 114 on the earth.

Prime competitors is precisely what the previous world No. 1 might be dealing with on Monday. Tsitsipas is available in at third within the rankings and he reached the Roland Garros last this spring. His 2021 marketing campaign additionally consists of titles in Monte-Carlo and Lyon plus semifinal outcomes on the Australian Open, Toronto Masters, and Cincinnati Masters. A best-of-five state of affairs towards among the finest gamers on tour seems to be nothing lower than a nightmare first-round take a look at for Murray.

Choose: Tsitsipas in 3

Ricky contributes to10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may comply with him on twitter at @Dimonator.