Damien Kayat previews selected Round of 32 Matches from the Citi Open, Atlanta, Washington.
2021 ATP Tour
ATP 500 Series
Citi Open
William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Centre, Washington (Hard Outdoor)
Selected Round of 32 Matches- 4th August
Jensen Brooksby vs Frances Tiafoe (16)
Jensen Brooksby has been a breath of fresh air on this year’s ATP Tour (much like compatriot Seb Korda). The gangly American has emerged as one of the most exciting NextGen talents. Just 15 days ago, Brooksby lost in his maiden ATP final to Kevin Anderson in Newport. He avenged his loss this week. wearing down the two-time Grand Slam finalist with his quirky array of shots. Despite his height, Brooksby isn’t cut from the Andy Roddick mould of outrageous power (though that can be worked on). He tends to hit deep on offense and mix it up on defence, often surprising with his dexterous use of slice and drop shots. Though only playing in his 5th ATP main-draw, Brooksby has already developed something of an aura. He is a pure fighter who won’t give up on any point, regardless of how desperate the situation. Could he emerge as a potential American Grand Slam contender in the future.
Frances Tiafoe knows all about being the next hot American talent. I think that the pressure of becoming the next Sampras of Agassi is one of the things that has really held him back. The world seemed to be his oyster following that 2018 Delray victory. Actually, it was probably the 2019 Aussie Open quarterfinal run that really solidified his reputation as the next ‘big thing’ in American tennis. But it just hasn’t really happened for Tiafoe. 2021 started fairly well with a quarterfinal run at the Delray Beach Classic. But he endured a shocking European Clay Swing that really seemed to dent his confidence. The switch to grass brought some much-improved form, with Tiafoe tasting victory in a Challenger event in Nottingham. He also picked up his first career victory against a top 5 opponent at Wimbledon, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in one of the most shocking first-round exits of the year. I actually backed Tiafoe to potentially double up against Tsitsipas in Tokyo (the Greek ultimately sailed through their Olympic match in straight sets). Tiafoe is a frustrating talent. He needs to become more consistent and actually stay engaged in rallies. I don’t think he trusts his rallying abilities and he tends to go for winners with reckless abandon.
This is unsurprisingly the first meeting between these two Americans. Brooksby is obviously the man on the up at present. But this is exactly the sort of event that could kickstart Tiafoe’s season. Lest we forget, Tiafoe did reach the 4th round of last year’s US Open. I think Tiafoe will have a point to prove to his doubters and he will emerge victorious. I’m actually willing to take a chance on Tiafoe to win in straight sets.
Kei Nishikori vs Alexander Bublik (9)
Kei Nishikori is the little engine that could. You can’t help but admire his obstinate refusal to let horrendous injuries end his career prematurely. The former US Open runner-up has shown fleeting glimpses of his best tennis this year (he reached the quarterfinals in Dubai and Rotterdam). But it was really his recent Olympic exertions that may kickstart Nishikori’s comeback. Yes, he was convincingly beaten by Djokovic in the quarterfinal. But the event did feature his first victory over a top 10 opponent since 2018 (he took down the similarly energetic Andrey Rublev in the first round). Nishikori will be hoping to use that result as a potential springboard for yet another North American odyssey. Nishikori is also a previous winner of this event- he beat John Isner to claim the 2015 title. But can Nishikori’s ageing body maintain the consistency necessary to capture another title?
Alexander Bublik has actually compiled a highly creditable season, breaking into the world’s top 40 for the very first time. The Kazakh baseliner is in the mould of Gael Monfils, often employing trick shots and entertaining the fans at every opportunity. But he seems to have found a nice blend between professionalism and playfulness this year. He reached two finals this year, losing in both the Antalya Open and Singapore Open (he has now reached three finals on hard surfaces). But perhaps more crucially, he added two Masters quarterfinals to his name this year. This included a brilliant hardcourt run in Miami. Bublik is fresh off a semi-final in Newport and he will be keen to keep the momentum going this week.
This will be the first meeting between these two. 9th seed Bublik is clearly the form man. But I think Nishikori will have gained a lot of confidence from that performance in Tokyo. He also looked in devastating form against San Querrey in the last round.
