.Third-round action at the united state Open starts with a third-round face-off between Ben Shelton and also Frances Tiafoe on Friday. Novak Djokovic and also Alexei Popyrin are actually also going for an area in the typical 2nd week of the tournament.Here are my selections for 2 of Friday's best matchups.( thirteen) Ben Shelton vs. (20) Frances Tiafoe.
It is actually a rematch of the last summer's U.S. Open quarterfinals, as well as this time Shelton is available in with some requirements. In fact, he is actually the favored against Tiafoe-- which had not been the case in 2023. Shelton was the longshot in their previous united state Open tilt, but he won it in four collections and also became an unpleasant surprise semifinalist that pleased New york city groups with his flourishing serve and also big-stage charisma.
Both Shelton and Tiafoe are playing well right now. The former looked self-assured in his straight-set draw Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday. The 21-year-old made the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Expert earlier this month. Tiafoe created it right to the Cincy ultimate just before succumbing to Jannik Evildoer.
Shelton is an excellent 2-0 in the neck and neck series. Seek it to become 3-0 when this one points.
Decide on: Shelton in 4( 28) Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Novak DjokovicDjokovic and also Popyrin will certainly be actually contesting at a 3rd learn 2024 when they meet again on Friday. They additionally went head-to-head at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, with Djokovic getting the job done in four collections both opportunities to take a total 3-0 top in the H2H series. He also dominated 6-4, 6-2 at the 2019 Tokyo occasion.
As those very competitive Grand Slam faces along with Djokovic indicate, Popyrin is actually participating in the most ideal tennis of his career this year-- as well as it's certainly not even shut. He falls to 28th in the rankings many thanks partially to an Expert thousand headline in Montreal and so much in NYC the Aussie has absolutely punished both Soonwoo Kwon and also Pedro Martinez. Regrettably for Pop, Djoker has actually succeeded 18 sets in progression going back to the Olympics. The 24-time slam champ has not relinquished a set to any person apart from Carlos Alcaraz due to the fact that he lost one to none besides Popyrin in the Wimbledon 3rd round.
Select: Djokovic in 3Ricky provides to 10sballs. com and also keeps his own tennis internet site, The Grandstand. You may observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.