Nick Kyrgios will get top billing in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday night at the U.S. Open. Perhaps CBS officials called for even bigger names during the day, and they got them. Joining Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in third-round action are familiar foes John Isner and Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Let’s take a look at Saturday’s eight men’s matches:
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Sam Querrey: While this may be a lopsided matchup on paper, you never really know for sure. Querrey has defeated Djokovic before, albeit once in eight career tries (2012 Paris Masters). The American also took a set off the current world No. 1 last year in Davis Cup in a match during which Djokovic sustained a sprained ankle. Is it safe to go ahead and pencil Djokovic into the fourth round? Probably…. But have an eraser just in case.
(22) Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. (13) John Isner:Death, taxes, and Isner vs. Kohlschreiber in the third round of the U.S. Open. Those are the three certainties of life right now. The two veterans will be facing each other at this stage of the Open for a third consecutive season. Kohlschreiber won the first two, but Isner looks like a man on a mission–a mission to keep American men alive in the tournament heading into the second week.
(9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Pablo Carreno Busta: If you’re a fan of the Grandstand, you have to be loving week one of the U.S. Open. Tsonga and Gael Monfils, two of the undisputed most exciting players in the sport, will have played a combined all five of their matches on the Grandstand when this one ends on Saturday. So far, neither Frenchman has disappointed.
Andrey Kuznetsov vs. (8) Andy Murray: Murray vs. Fernando Verdasco would have been more prestigious, perhaps even snagging the night spot in Ashe. Still, don’t discount Kuznetsov. The guy beat David Ferrer at Wimbledon and his win over Verdasco on Thursday was also impressive.
(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. Blaz Kavcic: Everything about this suggests it should be entirely straightforward. Then again, Wawrinka’s last match against Thomaz Bellucci should have been entirely straightforward, too. And we all saw how that turned out…. Actually we didn’t, because almost everyone left when Wawrinka was up two sets to love!
Nick Kyrgios vs. (16) Tommy Robredo: I know Kyrgios beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and all, but night session on Ashe on Labor Day weekend? Seriously? Seriously? Alas, Kyrgios won’t complain. And neither will fans when they see what this kid brings to the table.
(10) Kei Nishikori vs. Leonardo Mayer: There’s not much to say about this one, except that Nishikori should win comfortably–IF he’s healthy. And that’s always a big IF.
Victor Estrella Burgos vs. (5) Milos Raonic: The Dominican Republic fans have been awesome for Estrella Burgos this week. They will have to be even more awesome for this one because in terms of talent, even Estrella Burgos would admit he is out of his league against Raonic. No matter what, though, the underdog’s fans will have the Grandstand rocking.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: Andrey Kuznetsov, Andy Murray, Arthur Ashe Stadium, John Isner, milos raonic, Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Sam Querrey, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open
RICKY’S PICKS AND PEEKS FOR THE MEN’S @usopen #TENNIS 3rd ROUND MATCHES ON SATURDAY- http://t.co/Rd1GXDHSiB #USOpen @RD_Tennistalk