Rafael Nadal’s bid for a 15th Grand Slam title remains right on track after beating the talented Borna Coric in the first round on Monday. The two-time US Open champion will look to book a place in the round of 32 later today when he squares off with the ever-dangerous Diego Schwartzman in the featured afternoon match at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Read on below as we dissect this second round showdown. To further whet your tennis appetite, we also broke down the round of 64 matchup between Fernando Verdasco and the big-serving Milos Raonic. If you’re still looking for more US Open news, you can check out our previews of Djokovic vs. Haider-Maurer and Tsonga vs. Granollers.
[sc:TennisArticles ]2015 US Open Men’s Singles Second Round Previews
Rafael Nadal vs. Diego Schwartzman
When: Thursday, September 2, 2:30 PM ET
Line: Rafael Nadal (-2,000) vs. Diego Schwartzman (+1,000) – view all US Open Men’s Singles lines
[sc:Other240banner ]Rafael Nadal booked a spot in the second round of the US Open with a gritty 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Borna Coric on Monday. It was a battling performance from Nadal, who needed two hours and 47 minutes to oust the Croatian star. Nadal, who improved to 1-1 against Coric, hit 40 winners and won 88 percent of his first serve points. What proved to be the difference in the contest, though, was his excellent net play. Nadal won 94 percent (16/17) of his net points against Coric.
Next up for the Spaniard is a round-of-64 clash with Diego Schwartzman. Nadal has a 1-0 record against the Argentinian, with their lone meeting coming at the Acapulco tournament back in 2013. Nadal trounced Schwartzman in straight sets in that round-of-32 contest, 6-2, 6-2. Schwartzman is coming off a convincing straight-sets win over Elias Ymer in the opening round on Monday. He won 85 percent of his first serve points in that match.
Nadal is 7-3 in his last 10 matches, while Schwartzman is 7-3 as well in his last 10 outings.
Writer’s Prediction
Nadal (-2,000) defeats Schwartzman in straight sets.
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Milos Raonic vs. Fernando Verdasco
When: Thursday, September 2, 12:30 PM ET
Line: Milos Raonic (-250) vs. Fernando Verdasco (+190) – view all US Open Men’s Singles lines
Milos Raonic secured a place in the second round of the US Open with a convincing 6-4, 7-6(8), 6-1 win over Tim Smyczek on Monday. It was a solid performance from Raonic, who needed two hours and 10 minutes to see off American. With the victory, the Canadian earned his 200th win in the ATP Tour.
Awaiting Raonic in the round of 64 is Fernando Verdasco, who saw off German veteran Tommy Haas 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-1. The head-to-head series between the two players is currently deadlocked at 3-3, with Raonic the victor in their last meeting at Shanghai back in 2013. This will be their first matchup, though, in a Grand Slam tournament.
For Raonic to pull off the victory later today, he needs to continue his excellent service play. He won 83 percent of his first serve points against Tim Smyczek on Tuesday. He also saved all the six break points he faced on Monday. That will be crucial against Verdasco, who converted eight of his 13 break point opportunities against Haas in the opening round.
Raonic is 3-5 in his last eight matches, while Verdasco is 4-4 in his last eight outings.
Writer’s Prediction
Raonic (-250) edges past Verdasco in four sets.
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