.Third-round activity at the U.S. Open begins with a third-round face-off in between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe on Friday. Novak Djokovic as well as Alexei Popyrin are actually also trying for a spot in the proverbial second week of the tournament.Here are my choices for 2 of Friday's greatest matches.( thirteen) Ben Shelton vs. (20) Frances Tiafoe.
It's a rematch of the final summer season's united state Open quarterfinals, and also this moment Shelton comes in with some requirements. In reality, he is the favored against Tiafoe-- which had not been the case in 2023. Shelton was the underdog in their previous united state Open tilt, however he gained it in 4 collections and became a surprise semifinalist who delighted New york city crowds with his booming serve and big-stage charisma.
Each Shelton and Tiafoe are participating in properly presently. The past appeared self-assured in his straight-set win over Roberto Bautista Agut on Wednesday. The 21-year-old made the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Professional previously this month. Tiafoe created it right to the Cincy final before catching Jannik Evildoer.
Shelton is a perfect 2-0 in the head-to-head series. Search for it to become 3-0 when this one ends.
Select: Shelton in 4( 28) Alexei Popyrin vs. (2) Novak DjokovicDjokovic and also Popyrin will be actually contesting at a third learn 2024 when they meet again on Friday. They likewise went head-to-head at the Australian Open and also Wimbledon, with Djokovic doing the job in four sets both opportunities to confiscate a total 3-0 top in the H2H series. He also prevailed 6-4, 6-2 at the 2019 Tokyo event.
As those very competitive Grand Slam encounters with Djokovic signify, Popyrin is actually playing the most ideal ping pong of his profession this year-- and it's certainly not also shut. He is up to 28th in the rankings thanks partly to a Professional 1000 title in Montreal therefore much in NYC the Aussie has definitely surged both Soonwoo Kwon and also Pedro Martinez. Sadly for Stand Out, Djoker has actually gained 18 sets in succession going back to the Olympics. The 24-time slam champ has certainly not relinquished a set to any individual apart from Carlos Alcaraz given that he lost one to none aside from Popyrin in the Wimbledon third shot.
Decide on: Djokovic in 3Ricky adds to 10sballs. com and also maintains his own ping pong website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.