RICKY’S PICKS FOR U.S. OPEN DAY 4 • ROGER FEDERER VS. FEISTY PAIRE AND NISHIKORI VS. THE GREAT GAEL MONFILS

Written by: Staff on 29th August 2018

RICKY'S PICKS FOR U.S. OPEN DAY 4 • ROGER FEDERER VS. FEISTY PAIRE AND NISHIKORI VS. THE GREAT GAEL MONFILS

epa06979722 Gael Monfils of France hits a return to Facundo Bagnis of Argentina on the second day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 28 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/COREY SIPKIN |

Gael Monfils of France hits a return to Facundo Bagnis of Argentina on the second day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 28 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/COREY SIPKIN

By Ricky Dimon

U.S. Open second-round action continues, when Roger Federer takes the court against familiar foe Benoit Paire. A blockbuster battle pits Kei Nishikori against Rafael Nadal, while young guns Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are also in action.

Ricky previews four of Thursday’s best matchups and makes his predictions.

Benoit Paire vs. (2) Roger Federer

Federer is sweeping the head-to-head series 6-0 and he had destroyed Paire five straight times before the Frenchman was finally competitive in Halle this summer (lost 9-7 in a third-set tiebreaker). This one obviously won’t be as close, because Federer isn’t rusty like he was in Halle and he also cares way, way more about the U.S. Open.

It will, though, be fun. Paire always puts on a good show–for better or worse–and Federer is…well…Federer. Look for the underdog to at least make it somewhat interesting for a while between things turn into an all-out circus during the third set.

Pick: Federer in 3

Gael Monfils vs. (21) Kei Nishikori

Nishikori is out in front of the head-to-head series 3-1 and it would be 4-0 if not for an absolutely epic comeback by Monfils at the 2017 Rogers Cup. On the bright side for Monf, all four of their previous meetings required decisive third sets–including an amazing three in third-set ‘breakers.

This one, however, may not live up to the same standard. Monfils has struggled this year and did not play at all on hard courts this summer prior to the USO. A double-bagel against Facundo Bagnis in sets three and four on Tuesday was encouraging, but Nishikori is a whole different beast of an opponent–to say the least.

Pick: Nishikori in 4

Alex de Minaur vs. Frances Tiafoe

This should be the best one of the day, especially for the tennis die-hards who recognize greatness in future stars of the game that are currently among the ranks of the unseeded. While de Minaur was the breakout star of the Aussie summer to begin this year, it may be Tiafoe’s turn to do the same at home in the United States on the summer hard courts.

The American has already reached third rounds in Washington, D.C. and Toronto and he has to be considered a slight favorite to do the same in New York after beating Adrian Mannarino in four sets in the first round. Tiafoe has more slam experience, especially at the U.S. Open where he has played five-setters against both Federer and John Isner.

Pick: Tiafoe in 5

Robin Haase vs. (10) David Goffin

Goffin is leading the head-to-head series 5-1, but Haase at least managed to win once on clay last season and he also extended Goffin to five sets at Roland Garros this year. Faster conditions at the USO will only help the Dutchman, who staged his second career comeback from two sets down at this tournament when he beat Mackenzie McDonald on in round one.

Haase advanced to the quarterfinals in Toronto and to round three in Cincinnati, while Goffin reached the Cincinnati semis. But the Belgian has rarely been 100 percent physically this season and he will have to do more than defeat Federico Gaio in order to prove that he is something like the Goffin of last year

Pick: Haase in 4