Looking at the men’s side, “The Big Three” of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have claimed the last 11 Majors. In contrast, nine different women have won the last 11 Majors. How much longer can Roger, Rafa, and Novak hold off the rest of the field, as well as Father Time? And when will consistency emerge amongst the women?
Felix Auger-Aliassime (18) vs. Denis Shapovalov
This is a rematch from the same round on the same court one year ago. On that day, Felix suffered some irregular heartbeat issues, and was forced to retire. He was extremely emotional after the match, and was consoled by his opponent and best friend. They also played earlier this year on clay in Madrid, with Felix prevailing in straight sets. Felix has achieved much more success than Denis in 2019. He has 31 match wins, and recently debuted inside the top 20. Shapovalov meanwhile owns almost as many wins as losses, and just missed out on being seeded here, enabling this first round rematch. Denis is the more experienced player at the Majors, but has lost in the first round of the last two Slams. Felix just earned his first wins at a Major last month at Wimbledon. It’s hard to predict how each player will react to facing someone they’re so close to, especially after what happened here last year. But based on recent form, Felix is the clear favorite. His consistency should overcome the oft-erratic play of Shapovalov.
Aryna Sabalenka (9) vs. Victoria Azarenka
Following that all-Canadian affair, we have this all-Belarusian affair to kick off the night session on Louis Armstrong Stadium. A year ago, Sabalenka came into this tournament turning a lot of heads. She had reached the semifinals in Cincinnati, and won the title in New Haven. But she’s underwhelmed in 2019, and comes into this tournament under the radar. However, on the women’s side, under the radar is a good place to be, as the favorites often crash out early nowadays. And the 21-year-old showed signs of rediscovering her form this summer by advancing to the final in San Jose. Azarenka is a two-time finalist at this event, though that was back in 2012 and 2013. It’s been a rough go for Vika of late, as she’s just 3-3 at Majors this year, and continues to receive tough draws such as this due to being unseeded. Facing a fellow countrywoman can be tricky, especially when they’re almost 10 years your junior. And there’s no history to go by for either player with this being their first meeting. But one thing’s for sure: with the noise these two make when hitting the ball, it will be anything but quiet.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) vs. Andrey Rublev
This is an ATP Next Gen battle between two 21-year-olds who have both already made significant impressions on tour. Tsitsipas is the one who’s garnered much more attention, with his run to the final at last year’s Rogers Cup, and his victory over Roger Federer in Australia on his way to this year’s semifinals. But since losing a heartbreaking, five-hour epic to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open, Tsitsipas is only 4-6, and comes into this event on a three-match losing streak. Rublev has been the much hotter player of late, reaching the final in Hamburg last month and the quarters in both Cincinnati and Winston-Salem. And two years ago here in Flushing Meadows, he reached the quarters as well. Their only previous meeting was appropriately at the ATP Next Gen Finals last year, where Stefanos was victorious under a different scoring system. But in the first match of the day on Armstrong, I like the more in-form Rublev to upset his contemporary. As we’ve seen over the past few years, it can be challenging for higher-ranked younger players to defend their turf against members of their same generation. Borna Coric’s victory over Sascha Zverev two years ago at the Open immediately comes to mind.
Simona Halep (4) vs. Nicole Gibbs (Q)
This is a big moment for Nicole Gibbs. As outlined in this great ESPN piece, the 26-year-old American recently overcame a cancer diagnosis. This will be her first Major since last year’s US Open. She lost in the final round of qualifying last week to former US Open semifinalist Peng Shuai, but got into the main draw as a lucky loser. She’s twice before reached the third round of a Major, both times on hard courts. Meanwhile the Wimbledon champion is currently on a three-match losing streak in New York, having bowed out in the opening round here two years in a row. And there’s some questions surrounding her current condition after retiring in Toronto with an ankle injury. However, her former coach and close friend Darren Cahill stated on ESPN that she’s good to go for this tournament. Simona took their only prior match last year on a hard court in straight sets. Assuming Halep is 100%, the result today shouldn’t be much different.
Nick Kyrgios (28) vs. Steve Johnson
Nick Kyrgios was the champion in Washington earlier this summer, but acted like a total chump two weeks ago in Cincinnati. After being called for a time violation, the usually fast-playing Australian completely unraveled against Karen Khachanov. He would break multiple rackets, verbally abuse the chair umpire, and even spit in the chair’s direction after the match. He received a record fine $113,000 for his deplorable behavior. Which Nick Kyrgios will we see here? Well if practice sessions are any indication, it could be the more competitive and professional version. Darren Cahill noted on ESPN that Kyrgios was going all out in some extended practice sessions last week in New York. His opponent today won their only other encounter, on a hard court in Shanghai two years ago. In that match, Kyrgios retired after losing the first set, claiming he was suffering from a stomach bug. But Nick declined to be examined during or after the match, resulting in the forfeiture of his prize money. Notably, the chair umpire in that Shanghai match was the same as the Cincinnati match: Fergus Murphy. Unlike Kyrgios, Johnson is one of the more likable and sympathetic figures on tour. He’s struggled considerably after the sudden death of his father and coach two years ago. Stevie has a losing record this year, and is ranked 86th in the world just a few years after nearly reaching the top 20. The crowd could be a significant factor in this late night match on Louis Armstrong. The American will obviously get some good support, and we’ve seen how Kyrgios can be easily impacted by comments from the crowd. Despite all this, I think Nick will find his way to victory today, especially with Stevie’s current lack of confidence.
Other notable matches on Day 2:
Defending champion Naomi Osaka (1) vs. Anna Blinkova. Just over a week after retiring in Cincinnati with a knee injury, what condition will Osaka be in for her return to Arthur Ashe Stadium?
Rafael Nadal (2) vs. John Millman, who upset Roger Federer here last year, but is just 16-22 on the year.
2017 champion Sloane Stephens (11) vs. Anna Kalinskaya (Q), a 20-year-old Russian who was a semifinalist a few weeks ago in Washington.
Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem (4) vs. Thomas Fabbiano, who upset Tsitsipas in the first round of Wimbledon.
Indian Wells and Rogers Cup champ Bianca Andreescu (15) vs. Katie Volynets (WC), a 17-year-old American who won the USTA junior title to receive this wild card.
Anastasia Potapova vs. Coco Gauff (WC), the 15-year-old American who created such a buzz at Wimbledon by reaching the fourth round.
Two-time Major champion Garbine Muguruza (24) vs. Alison Riske. Muguruza hasn’t won a match since Roland Garros, while Riske has 17 match wins at all levels during that same time span.
Order of play
Arthur Ashe Stadium – 12:00 (17:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
N. Osaka (JPN) [1] vs. A. Blinkova (RUS)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
T. Fabbiano (ITA) vs. D. Thiem (AUT) [4]
Arthur Ashe Stadium – 19:00 (0:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Millman (AUS) vs. R. Nadal (ESP) [2]
Women’s Singles – Round 1
S. Stephens (USA) [11] vs. A. Kalinskaya (RUS)
Louis Armstrong Stadium – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
S. Tsitsipas (GRE) [8] vs. A. Rublev (RUS)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
S. Halep (ROU) [4] vs. N. Gibbs (USA)
Not before 15:00 (20:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Potapova (RUS) vs.C. Gauff (USA)
Louis Armstrong Stadium – 19:00 (0:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Sabalenka (BLR) [9] vs. V. Azarenka (BLR)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
S. Johnson (USA) vs. N. Kyrgios (AUS) [28]
Grandstand – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Riske (USA) vs. G. Muguruza (ESP) [24]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Isner (USA) [14] vs. G. Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
C. Wozniacki (DEN) [19] vs. Y. Wang (CHN)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
D. Shapovalov (CAN) vs. F. Auger-Aliassime (CAN) [18]
Court 17 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
D. Allertova (CZE) vs. P. Kvitova (CZE) [6]
Women’s Singles – Round 1
P. Badosa (ESP) vs. K. Bertens (NED) [7]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
A. Zverev (GER) [6] vs. R. Albot (MDA)
Not before 17:00 (22:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
I. Karlovic (CRO) vs. F. Tiafoe (USA)
Court 5 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
M. Minella (LUX) vs. B. Bencic (SUI) [13]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
M. Klizan (SVK) vs. M. Cilic (CRO) [22]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Tsonga (FRA) vs. T. Sandgren (USA)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
K. Ahn (USA) vs.S. Kuznetsova (RUS)
Court 10 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
J. Goerges (GER) [26] vs. N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
K. Volynets (USA) vs. B. Andreescu (CAN) [15]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
H. Chung (KOR) vs. E. Escobedo (USA)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
G. Monfils (FRA) [13] vs. A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
Court 13 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Petkovic (GER) vs. M. Buzarnescu (ROU)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
K. Edmund (GBR) [30] vs. P. Andujar (ESP)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
L. Harris (RSA) vs. E. Gerasimov (BLR)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
Y. Putintseva (KAZ) vs. M. Brengle (USA)
Court 4 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
M. Kukushkin (KAZ) vs. R. Bautista Agut (ESP) [10]
Men’s Singles – Round 1
F. Krajinovic (SRB) vs. C. Stebe (GER)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
T. Babos (HUN) vs. C. Suárez Navarro (ESP) [28]
Women’s Singles – Round 1
Kr. Pliskova (CZE) vs. D. Parry (FRA)
Court 6 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Krunic (SRB) vs. J. Ostapenko (LAT)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Sousa (POR) vs. J. Thompson (AUS)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Kontaveit (EST) [21] vs. S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
T. Kokkinakis (AUS) vs. I. Ivashka (BLR)
Court 7 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Cornet (FRA) vs. J. Pegula (USA)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
F. Verdasco (ESP) [32] vs. T. Kamke (GER)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
T. Townsend (USA) vs. K. Kozlova (UKR)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
B. Schnur (CAN) vs. B. Paire (FRA) [29]
Court 8 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
A. Popyrin (AUS) vs. F. Delbonis (ARG)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
X. Wang (CHN) vs. K. Flipkens (BEL)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
U. Humbert (FRA) vs. M. Copil (ROU)
Court 9 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
L. Sonego (ITA) vs. M. Granollers (ESP)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
K. Kanepi (EST) vs. T. Maria (GER)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
E. Mertens (BEL) [25] vs. J. Teichmann (SUI)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
A. Hoang (FRA) vs. L. Mayer (ARG)
Court 11 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
M. Berrettini (ITA) [24] vs. R. Gasquet (FRA)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
D. Collins (USA) vs. P. Hercog (SLO)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
D. Schwartzman (ARG) [20] vs. R. Haase (NED)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
S. Cirstea (ROU) vs. K. Siniakova (CZE)
Court 12 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
B. Fratangelo (USA) vs. G. Simon (FRA)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
V. Pospisil (CAN) vs. K. Khachanov (RUS) [9]
Women’s Singles – Round 1
R. Hogenkamp (NED) vs. D. Vekic (CRO) [23]
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Bolsova (ESP) vs. B. Strycova (CZE) [31]
Court 14 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
A. Bublik (KAZ) vs. S. Giraldo (COL)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
P. Parmentier (FRA) vs. A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Tomljanovic (AUS) vs. M. Bouzkova (CZE)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
H. Laaksonen (SUI) vs. M. Cecchinato (ITA)
Court 15 – 11:00 (16:00 BST)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
F. Di Lorenzo (USA) vs. V. Kudermetova (RUS)
Women’s Singles – Round 1
A. Sharma (AUS) vs. M. Linette (POL)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Struff (GER) vs. C. Ruud (NOR)
Men’s Singles – Round 1
J. Kovalik (SVK) vs. A. Bedene (SLO)
