*Find the complete list of the 2016 US Open Men’s Singles tennis betting linesHERE!
Novak Djokovic (-1,500) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (+800)
Novak Djokovic got a free pass into the third round of the US Open after his opponent, Jiri Vesely, withdrew from the tournament on Wednesday because of left forearm inflammation. It was a welcome development for the world no. 1 who has been handed invaluable time to regain his own fitness. The Serbian star has struggled with arm and wrist injuries since the Rio Olympics last month.
Awaiting Djokovic in the round-of-32 is Mikhail Youzhny, who saw off Guido Pella, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) in the second round. Djokovic will fancy his chances in this third-round clash as he has fared extremely well against Youzhny in the past. Djokovic is 6-3 in his career against Youzhny. The two-time US Open champion defeated Youzhny, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0, in the quarterfinal stage of this competition back in 2013.
Writer’s Prediction: Djokovic (-1,500) eases past Youzhny in straight sets.
The dream lives on for American Ryan Harrison. The hometown favorite recorded a major shock on Wednesday, upsetting fifth seed Milos Raonic, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-5, 6-1. It was an amazing result for Harrison who had a 1-26 record against Top 10 opponents before his second-round win against Raonic. He will need to be at his best, though, in the round-of-32 as standing in his way is the ever-dangerous Marcos Baghdatis. The former Australian Open finalist booked a place in the third round with a 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Frenchman Benoit Paire.
Writer’s Prediction: The fairytale continues for Ryan Harrison (+125) as he pulls off a tough five-set win.
Rafael Nadal barged into the third round of the 2016 US Open with a comfortable 6-0, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Andreas Seppi on Wednesday. The 14-time Grand Slam champion wasted little time in advancing his quest for a third US Open crown, using only two hours and 18 minutes to eliminate the Italian.
Next up for the Spaniard is a round-of-32 clash with Andrey Kuznetsov. Nadal will be licking his chops at the prospect of facing Kuznetsov as he is unbeaten in three meetings against the Russian. Nadal trounced Kuznetsov, 6-3, 6-3, in their last showdown at the Madrid Masters earlier this year. Kuznetsov is coming off a gritty 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5) win over Albert Ramos-Viñolas in the second round at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. He won 72 percent of his first serve points in that match.
Writer’s Prediction: Nadal (-1,200) preserves his unbeaten record against Kuznetsov with an easy straight-sets win.
Complete Listing of 2016 US Open Men’s Singles Third Round Matchups
Matchup
Pick
Novak Djokovic (-1,500) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (+800)
Djokovic
John Isner (-300) vs. Kyle Edmund (+220)
Isner
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (-240) vs. Kevin Anderson (+180)
Tsonga
Gael Monfils (-800) vs. Nicolas Almagro (+500)
Monfils
Marcos Baghdatis (-155) vs. Ryan Harrison (+125)
Harrison
Jack Sock (+210) vs. Marin Cilic (-280)
Cilic
Rafael Nadal (-1,200) vs. Andrey Kuznetsov (+700)
Nadal
Lucas Pouille (+300) vs. Roberto Bautista-Agut (-400)
