Third-round motion on the U.S. Open continues on Saturday, when People Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and three different People take the courtroom. It’s a busy order of play for the host nation, whereas extra second-week hopefuls embrace Alexander Zverev, Jakub Mensik, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Mirra Andreeva.
Listed below are my picks for 2 of Saturday’s finest matchups.
(9) Taylor Fritz vs. (24) Francisco Cerundolo
Fritz is already a U.S. Open finalist, having completed runner-up to Jannik Sinner in 2024. The American has nice probability to as soon as once more make it that far (and possibly all the best way), with a nearly excellent draw within the high half and No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev wanting shaky. Whereas Zverev has spent greater than 9 hours on courtroom via two rounds, Fritz completely crushed each Darwin Blanch and Mattia Bellucci.
The world No. 10 gained’t be wanting forward, although. For now he’ll solely deal with Cerundolo, whom he faces within the third spherical. This marks their third assembly after they cut up the primary two. Cerundolo prevailed a good four-setter at Roland Garros in 2023 earlier than Fritz gained in one other clay-court contest that went the space on the 2024 Madrid Masters 1000. This one is on Fritz’s residence turf — by way of each floor and placement. A tough courtroom in the USA (and never in Miami, the place Cerundolo excels) is a perfect setting for Fritz to face this specific opponent. That is typically Cerundolo’s least favourite time of yr, plus he’s coming off a five-setter in opposition to Jan-Lennard Struff. Fritz has each benefit on this matchup.
Choose: Fritz in 3
(17) Jakub Mensik vs. (14) Learner TienTien and Mensik will probably be squaring off for the second time of their careers and for the primary time on the primary circuit. Their solely earlier encounter got here on the 2024 NextGen ATP Finals, the place Tien prevailed 4-3(6), 4-3(3), 2-4, 2-4, 4-3(8). The American could also be properly positioned to get the job achieved once more, as a result of he’s taking part in one of the best tennis of his profession. He’s as much as No. 15 on this planet and seems to be climbing larger following straight-set wins at this occasion over Nuno Borges and Gael Monfils.
Mensik is looking for his third fourth-round Grand Slam look and his third of the season, which is highlighted by a French Open semifinal run (misplaced to Zverev, the eventual champ). To date on the USO he has ousted Shintaro Mochizuki and Jurij Rodionov. Though the Czech is taking part in properly, Tien is in barely higher kind, has home-court benefit, and may profit from having simply performed an evening match in Louis Armstrong Stadium in opposition to Monfils on Thursday.
Choose: Tien in 5
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
