US Open Picks Friday 08/30
We’re getting to the point where the creams starts to rise to the top, with the 2019 US Open moving into the third round. There are a number of compelling match-ups scheduled for Friday at Flushing Meadows, with Roger Federer and Serena Williams both in action. Here are four tips for Day Five.
US Open men’s singles third round, Friday August 30
In both matches played by Roger Federer at this year’s US Open, it has taken the great man a little while to warm to the task. Indeed, Federer dropped the opening set against both Sumit Nagal and Damir Dzumhur only to find his groove and win both matches in four sets. The heat and humidity has so far been nowhere near the levels of last year, but there’s still a sense that the 38-year-old is struggling to acclimatise to the conditions.
Dan Evans has enjoyed a successful season and kept that going with a very impressive four sets win over Lucas Pouille in the second round. The Brit could trouble Federer just as he did in the Australian Open second round earlier this year, when Evans took the Swiss to a tie break in two different sets. However, it’s difficult to envisage Federer being knocked off course here.
1u - Back Roger Federer 3-1 @ +260
Serena Williams v Karolina Muchova
US Open women’s singles third round, Friday August 30
After an impressive start in the first round, some vulnerabilities in Serena Williams’ game were exposed in the second round as she was taken to three sets by 17-year-old Caty McNally. However, Williams has won her last six matches that have gone the distance and there was always a feeling that she would find another gear to get her out of trouble.
Karolina Muchova has registered 13 aces and 62 winners in the two matches she has played at this year’s US Open so far and those numbers, if she can sustain them, will give her a chance of at least unsettling Williams. But Muchova only won 43% of her second serve points of her win over Su-Wei Hsieh. She must up those levels against Williams.
2u - Back Serena Williams 2-0 @ -153
US Open men’s singles third round, Friday August 30
Rain at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday meant that Stan Wawrinka had to wait until Thursday to face Jeremy Chardy in the second round, seeing off the Frenchman in four sets. The former US Open winner still has the fiercest backhand in the men’s game, but some concerns over his fitness persist.
So far, however, Wawrinka has managed to outlast his opponents. The Swiss might be aided by the fact his third round challenge, Paolo Lorenzi, is coming off the back of a five-setter and with the Italian having to play on back-to-back days it seems likely that he will be the one more affected by fatigue.
1u - Back Total 4 Sets @
Maria Sakkari v Ashleigh Barty
US Open women’s singles third round, Friday August 30
Ashleigh Barty has had to fight to get through her first two rounds at this year’s US Open. The Australian looked to be in a spot of bother against Lauren Davis, broken in the second set, but scrapped to a straight sets win. Barty has yet to find her best tennis at Flushing Meadows so far, but her problem-solving has been impressive.
Maria Sakkari is also a fighter, recovering a perilous situation against Peng Shuai in the last round to win in three sets and make it this far. The Grecian has proven herself as a formidable force on hard courts and boasts impressive athleticism and hitting from the baseline. Sakkari beat Barty in similar conditions at Indian Wells last season and that will give her confidence of pulling off an upset.
0.5u - Back Maria Sakkari To Win @ +260
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