By Erik Gudris | Monday, August 28, 2017
Now that the pity party is over (for some) regarding Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal not being on opposites sides of the draw, both men have to get down to business on Tuesday. Not only is each man a huge favorite to win the title, both are in the hunt to possibly be No. 1 after the event ends. Despite being overwhelming favorites, each will face potentially testing opening round opponents. On the women's side, the defending champion could have her hands full against one of the WTA's rising stars.
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(3) Roger Federer vs. Frances Tiafoe; Arthur Ashe Stadium, Second Night Match
Head-to-head: Federer leads 1-0
Federer, nearly 10 years since he won his last US Open title, starts his quest for a sixth New York crown against the "Next Gen" ATP star in the making Frances Tiafoe.
Federer, who missed Cincinnati due to a back issue he picked up in the Montreal final, will be looking for a confident start on Arthur Ashe Stadium Tuesday night. In addition to soaking in the atmosphere of what's sure to be an adoring New York night crowd, Federer will be looking to see how the main stadium is playing. Especially if early reports that the court there is much slower than last year.
However, there will certainly be many in the crowd pulling for Tiafoe, if not to pull off the upset, then at least to make it a close match. Tiafoe played Federer only one time before in Miami earlier this year. The young American stayed with Federer before losing the first set in a tiebreak. Federer went on to win 7-6(2), 6-3. That will give Tiafoe confidence and he certainly will not be overawed by playing on Ashe either.
Tiafoe owns a big game from his serve and groundstrokes and likes to take big cuts at the ball. If Tiafoe manages to earn an early break, he could well feed off the crowd to keep his momentum going. Federer will want to control the tempo early and make sure Tiafoe and the crowd knows that this is his opening night, and he has no plans of making an earlier than expected exit.
The Pick: Federer
(1) Rafael Nadal vs. Dusan Lajovic; Arthur Ashe Stadium, Third Day Match
Head-to-head: Nadal leads 1-0
This meeting between the current World No. 1 and current No. 85 feels like an appropriate mismatch for an opening round at a major. But this will not be the first time either man has faced each other in a Grand Slam.
Nadal and Lajovic met only one time before, but it was at the second week of the French Open back in 2014. Lajovic, who achieved his still career best performance of the round of 16, found himself taking on eventual champion Nadal. The Spanish star won that meeting easily in straight sets and it's hard not seeing this match having a similar outcome.
Still Lajovic can play well on hard courts when he needs to based on him reaching the round of 16 earlier this year in Indian Wells. Even if the Serbian journeyman plays his very best, this still will be all about Nadal managing his time, and his body, as he aims to ease himself into the second week of New York.
The Pick: Nadal
(6) Angelique Kerber vs. Naomi Osaka; Arthur Ashe Stadium, Second Day Match
First time meeting
What a difference a year makes.
Just after the 2016 US Open ended, Kerber found herself not only the women's champion but also a new World No. 1. Since then, the struggle has been real for the German in 2017. A sub par season filled with several early exits at events has left Kerber seeded sixth this year and not really talked about much as a possible threat to defend her title.
Kerber will likely have her hands full in her opening round as she faces off for the first time ever against 19-year-old Osaka. The Japanese teenager, with her huge groundstrokes and serve, has quickly risen into the WTA top 50.
Osaka's power versus Kerber's trademark defense to offense game will make for an intriguing contrast of styles.
Kerber may be the more experienced, but her woes, especially in early rounds this year make her vulnerable. Especially adding in the pressure of being the defending champion. Kerber will need to absorb Osaka's pace and not let the youngster get into a groove early. Osaka herself will need to stay patient when Kerber gets back ball after ball and wait for the right moment to go for the winner.
Osaka may have the game and the youthful confidence to pull off the big upset. But Kerber, who loves using an opponent's power against them, will be looking to turn the tide and finally make a deep run at a major this year.
The Pick: Kerber
Additional Matches to Watch:
Kaia Kanepi vs. Francesca Schiavone: Former top 20 Estonian player takes on former French Open champion in what might be the Italian's last ever major appearance.
Anett Konatveit vs. Lucie Safarova: Speaking of Estonians, the No. 26 seed Kontaveit who has risen quickly up the ranks this year takes on an unseeded, but always dangerous, Safarova who is the new WTA doubles No. 1.
Tomas Berdych vs. Ryan Harrison: Once again, Harrison finds himself with a tough opening round at a major. This time against former top 10 Berdych who reached Wimbledon semifinals this year.
Gael Monfils vs. Jeremy Chardy: Crowd favorite Monfils gets an all-French opener against Chardy who is capable of pulling off the upset.