RICKY PICKS • REVIEWS TOP HALF ATP/MEN’S 2018 U.S.OPEN SINGLES DRAW: FAVORABLE FOR NADAL

Written by: Staff on 24th August 2018

RICKY PICKS • REVIEWS TOP HALF ATP/MEN'S 2018 U.S.OPEN SINGLES DRAW: FAVORABLE FOR NADAL

epa06945038 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Karen Khachanov of Russia during their semifinal match at the Rogers Cup Men's Tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada, 11 August 2018. EPA-EFE/WARREN TODA |

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Karen Khachanov of Russia during their semifinal match at the Rogers Cup Men’s Tennis tournament in Toronto, Canada, 11 August 2018. EPA-EFE/WARREN TODA

By Ricky Dimon

Thanks in part to a relatively depleted field at the 2017 U.S. Open, Rafael Nadal’s draw was borderline easy all the way to the title. That should not be the case this time around. After all, the 2018 U.S. Open is the first tournament to feature every member of the Big 4 in more than an entire year (Wimbledon in 2017).

But Novak Djokovic is in the bottom half along with Roger Federer, so Nadal’s path looks like a favorable one at least most of the way.

Ricky takes a look at the top half of the men’s singles draw:

Nadal’s quarter

Never outside of clay has Nadal made things look as easy as he did last summer at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The world No. 1 steamrolled everything in his path en route to his third USO victory and 17th slam title overall. This time around, Nadal should have little trouble at least until the quarters. The Spaniard, who opens with countryman David Ferrer, could get his first semblance of a test against Karen Khachanov in the third round.

Kevin Anderson’s road to a potential rematch of the 2017 U.S. Open final is considerably tougher. Anderson–the reigning U.S. Open and Wimbledon runner-up–kicks off his fortnight against Ryan Harrison, would then meet either Jeremy Chardy or 2017 U.S. Open quarterfinalist Andrey Rublev, and could run into Denis Shapovalov in round three. Week two may start with a relative break for the South African, as seeds Dominic Thiem and Roberto Bautista Agut have been struggling physically.

Best first-round matchup — Mischa Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz

Fritz is 0-3 in his career at the ATP level against the Zverev brothers. Fortunately for the 20-year-old American, he is facing the older one (0-1 with a loss at the 2016 Swiss Indoors Basel) instead of the younger one (0-2). Fritz at least managed to beat this Zverev to qualify for the 2016 Australian Open main draw. The 31-year-old German is just 19-23 in 2018, so it’s hard to see him making any kind of easy work with Fritz in this one. It should be a fun early-round contest on some kind of relatively small outer court.

Del Potro’s quarter

The story here, naturally, is the first-rounder between Dimitrov and Wawrinka. But the winner won’t have time to celebrate, because things will only get tougher. Wimbledon quarterfinalist Milos Raonic likely awaits in the last 32, although he may have a tough opener on his hands in the form of up-and-coming American Jared Donaldson. John Isner, who finally delivered a Grand Slam breakthrough at Wimbledon (semifinalist), is a potential fourth-round opponent for either Dimitrov, Wawrinka, Raonic, or Donaldson.

Murray may not be close to 100 percent in his comeback from hip surgery, but his U.S. Open campaign should at least be able to get off the ground because James Duckworth in R1 is a friendly draw. With one match under his belt, things could get fun for Murray—or at least fun for the fans. The Scot would then meet either Fernando Verdasco or Feliciano Lopez prior to a possible showdown against Del Potro. Also in this section is Toronto runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas, who could run into Daniil Medvedev in round two and Borna Coric in the third.

Best first-round matchup — Stan Wawrinka vs. (8) Grigor Dimitrov

This isn’t your average slam first-rounder—even though it is now happening in two consecutive majors. Yes, Dimitrov and Wawrinka went head-to-head right off the bat at Wimbledon and they have to do the same in New York City. The Swiss’ comeback from injury was not going well when he arrived at Wimby, but he roared back from a slow start to upset Dimitrov 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-4. Wawrinka has since reached the Toronto third around and the Cincinnati quarters. As for the Bulgarian, he advanced to the Toronto quarterfinals and lost to Djokovic 6-4 in the third set at the Cincinnati Masters. Get your popcorn ready!