.Third-round activity at the USA Open begins with a third-round showdown between Ben Shelton as well as Frances Tiafoe on Friday. Novak Djokovic as well as Alexei Popyrin are additionally pursuing a location in the proverbial second week of the tournament.Here are my picks for 2 of Friday's best matchups.( 13) Ben Shelton vs. (20) Frances Tiafoe.
It is actually a rematch of the last summer months's united state Open quarterfinals, and this time around Shelton comes in along with some requirements. As a matter of fact, he is actually the favorite against Tiafoe-- which had not been the scenario in 2023. Shelton was the underdog in their previous united state Open tilt, however he won it in 4 sets as well as became a surprise semifinalist that pleased New york city groups along with his flourishing serve and big-stage charm.
Each Shelton and Tiafoe are participating in effectively at the moment. The past looked positive in his straight-set win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday. The 21-year-old created the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Masters earlier this month. Tiafoe made it all the way to the Cincy ultimate prior to succumbing to Jannik Criminal.
Shelton is actually a best 2-0 in the head-to-head collection. Search for it to become 3-0 when this ends.
Select: Shelton in 4( 28) Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Novak DjokovicDjokovic and also Popyrin will definitely be actually squaring off at a 3rd learn 2024 when they reunite on Friday. They also went head-to-head at the Australian Open and also Wimbledon, with Djokovic doing the job in four sets both times to take possession of an overall 3-0 lead in the H2H set. He additionally prevailed 6-4, 6-2 at the 2019 Tokyo event.
As those reasonable Grand Slam runs into with Djokovic indicate, Popyrin is actually participating in the most ideal tennis of his occupation this year-- and also it's certainly not even shut. He is up to 28th in the rankings thanks partially to a Masters 1000 label in Montreal consequently far in NYC the Aussie has absolutely thrashed both Soonwoo Kwon and also Pedro Martinez. Unfortunately for Stand Out, Djoker has succeeded 18 sets in sequence dating back to the Olympics. The 24-time bang champ has actually not relinquished a readied to anybody apart from Carlos Alcaraz because he dropped one to none besides Popyrin in the Wimbledon 3rd round.
Pick: Djokovic in 3Ricky provides to 10sballs. com as well as likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.