- Denis Shapovalov aims to match his best US Open result. He’s 2-0 up against his next opponent, Taylor Fritz
- Filip Krajinovic, the dark horse of the tournament so far, meets No.7 David Goffin. The Serbian beat him twice last year
- Resurgent Caroline Garcia will face No.28 Jennifer Brady bidding to reach her first US Open fourth round
NEW YORK, USA – Denis Shapovalov-Taylor Fritz, Filip Krajinovic-David Goffin and Caroline Garcia-Jennifer Brady are the matches to see on Day 5
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Denis Shapovalov [12] v Taylor Fritz [19] | H2H: Shapovalov leads 2-0
Using his trademark mix of impressive shotmaking and brave tennis, Denis Shapovalov shined in New York. His victory over Korean Soonwoo Kwon sets up a third-round clash against American Taylor Fritz. The Canadian leads 2-0 in their head-to-heads, after his victories at 2018 Delray Beach and 2019 Davis Cup Finals.
The dynamic lefty won both his opening matches in four sets. He overcame challenges with ruthless service games, flashy returns and a streak of hotshots from all over the court. In the secuound-round win, he crashed 62 winners to 19.
Having reached the Round 32 for the fourth time in four years, the Canadian No.1 aims at least to match his best result here. In 2017, on his debut, he won six straight matches coming through qualifying moving to the fourth-round.
In the previous round, Fritz hit the fastest first serve of the tournament and learned how to exercise patience to beat Gilles Simon. He won a crucial 46-shot rally to break Simon and win the first set, and a 43-shot rally to save a break point in the second.
He will need different qualities against Shapovalov, particularly on return to force his opponent to think more and possibly overhit.
Prediction: Shapovalov in four sets
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Filip Krajinovic [26] v David Goffin [7] | H2H: 2-2 (including Challengers)
The Belgian David Goffin has not lost before the third round of a major since 2018 Wimbledon. Bidding to reach the Round 16 for the fourth consecutive year at US Open, he will face No. 26 seed Filip Krajinovic. The Serbian won both their clashes on hardcourt, in Montpellier and Indian Wells, last season. The No.7 seed defeated him in a Challenger tournament in Scheveningen, The Netherlands, in 2014, and the next year to open his Roland Garros campaign.
The Belgian had to fight to defeat Reilly Opelka and South African Lloyd Harris. In his second-round clash, Goffin collected no more than 43% of second-serve points. Against the aggressive Krajinovic, the 2017 ATP Finals runner-up will need to improve that rate significantly.
Coached by former top 10 Janko Tipsarevic, the Serbian went back to his roots, playing an aggressive tennis from the baseline. He usually lacked consistency, but this time he looks definitely fitter than last year. Besides, specific hardwork made him a different kind of player, able to take the initiative and defend brilliantly at the same time.
Prediction: Krajinovic in four sets
Caroline Garcia v Jennifer Brady [28] | H2H tied at 3-3
During the quarantine, Caroline Garcia remained isolated with his family inside the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor. She worked hard to regain force and confidence with Gabi Urpi, the former coach of Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez who works for the academy. Her actual fitness level resembles the brilliance she showed in the fall of 2017 when she won the title in Wuhan and Beijing in a row, breaking into the top 10.
Against the top seed Karolina Pliskova, she hit the ball on the rise, she looked explosive and reactive on both sides during the rally and more proactive on return.
She managed to counter the Czech’s flat, heavy balls and that experience could boost her confidence against Jennifer Brady. The No.28 seed, who won her maiden WTA title in Lexington before the US Open, aims to control the rallies from the back, delivering serves and forehands to open up the court.
Garcia, a former US Open junior runner-up, has the chance to increase her confidence and reach her best result here. The American, contesting her 13th Grand Slam main draw, had a previous fourth-round appearance in 2017.
Prediction: Garcia in straight sets
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