.Third-round action at the USA Open starts along with a third-round showdown in between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe on Friday. Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin are likewise aiming for a spot in the typical second week of the tournament.Here are my picks for 2 of Friday's finest matchups.( 13) Ben Shelton vs. (twenty) Frances Tiafoe.
It is actually a rematch of the final summer months's united state Open quarterfinals, and this time around Shelton is available in with some requirements. As a matter of fact, he is actually the preferred against Tiafoe-- which had not been the scenario in 2023. Shelton was the underdog in their previous U.S. Open tilt, however he succeeded it in 4 collections as well as came to be an unpleasant surprise semifinalist who delighted New York crowds with his booming provide and big-stage charm.
Both Shelton and also Tiafoe are actually playing properly currently. The previous looked positive in his straight-set draw 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 last prior to catching Jannik Sinner.
Shelton is a best 2-0 in the neck and neck series. Try to find it to be 3-0 when this points.
Choose: Shelton in 4( 28) Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Novak DjokovicDjokovic and also Popyrin will be contesting at a third major in 2024 when they meet again on Friday. They additionally went head-to-head at the Australian Open and also Wimbledon, along with Djokovic getting the job done in 4 sets both times to seize a general 3-0 top in the H2H collection. He likewise dominated 6-4, 6-2 at the 2019 Tokyo activity.
As those very competitive Grand Slam faces with Djokovic show, Popyrin is actually participating in the very best ping pong of his profession this year-- and also it's certainly not even finalize. He depends on 28th in the ranks many thanks partially to a Professional 1000 headline in Montreal therefore far in New York City the Aussie has actually absolutely whipped both Soonwoo Kwon as well as Pedro Martinez. However for Stand Out, Djoker has actually succeeded 18 sets in progression going back to the Olympics. The 24-time bang champ has not relinquished a readied to anybody apart from Carlos Alcaraz because he lost one to none aside from Popyrin in the Wimbledon 3rd round.
Decide on: Djokovic in 3Ricky provides to 10sballs. com as well as also keeps his very own tennis internet site, The Grandstand. You may follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.