Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️☀️🗽
Today’s tennis mood: Eye-rolling at Nick Kyrgios and resting up for Serena and Venus.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
🎾 On tap: We’re on to the third round today with many temperature-check matches for the top seeds. Alexander Bublik vs. Tommy Paul promises to be entertaining. What look will Taylor Townsend present today when she takes on fellow lefty Diana Shnaider? Then, men’s doubles kicks off today. But does any of this even matter when we have Venus and Serena in prime time on Arthur Ashe Stadium?!?
🎾 ICYMI: A handful of seeds went down yesterday (but Zverev somehow escaped again). Here’s what’s noteworthy:
Botic van de Zandschulp took down a helpless-looking Alex de Minaur in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-2.
Dane Sweeny needed four sets to win over 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
In what feels like a semi-upset, Karen Khachanov took out 3rd seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Benjamin Bonzi defeated 32nd seed Ignacio Buse 6-2, 7-6, 6-0.
Maria Sakkari lost her three match points and the plot against Yuliia Starodubtseva, who won the match 1-6, 7-6, 6-2.
🎾 One to watch: Daniil Medvedev vs. Arthur Rinderknech (3rd round - U.S. Open): Watch this one because it’s a good temperature check for Medvedev, who has been struggling as of late — and because of the tremendous opportunity for Rinderknech, knowing Medvedev’s vulnerability. Expect the same game we always see from Medvedev, but watch as Rinderknech’s all-court game keeps Medvedev from getting into a groove.
The record: The head-to-head record between Daniil Medvedev and Arthur Rinderknech is tied at one apiece.
On the line: After a first-round exit last year, Medvedev has already beaten his ranking points. However, psychologically, his insistence that he’s a hard court expert is still at stake. Meanwhile, Rinderknech has round of 16 points to defend.
🎾 🏆 🎤 YOUR CALL
(Yesterday’s poll results: You all were split 50-50 on Gael Monfils vs. Learner Tien. Tien won 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.)
And that’s game.
