2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu will face 2019 Roland Garros semifinalist Amanda Anisimova in the first of what will likely be many career meetings. And another American, Jessica Pegula, will look to defeat sixth-seeded Karolina Pliskova for the third time in just the past month. Karen Khachanov and Yannik Sinner will play for the third time since the tour restart, and their last two meetings have both been epic. And in a battle between top 20 seeds, American No.1 John Isner will take on Canadian No.2 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Throughout this event, the women’s singles draw will be one day ahead of the men’s. On Sunday, the women’s bottom half completes third round action, while the men’s top half begins third round play.
Each day this preview will analyze the two most prominent matches, and note the other intriguing matchups on the day’s schedule. Sunday’s play will begin at 11:00am local time.
Bianca Andreescu (8) vs. Amanda Anisimova (28) – Not before 7:00pm on Grandstand
This could mark the beginning of a long-term rivalry in this sport. 20-year-old Andreescu broke out with a sensational 2019, culminating with her first Major title in New York. 19-year-old Anisimova made her first impression that same year, capturing her first WTA title and reaching the semis of the French Open. This is just Bianca’s fourth tournament since October of 2019, while Amanda missed much of this season due to a positive COVID test and an ankle injury. But Anisimova looked sharp on Friday, soundly defeating Sloane Stephens, a former champion at this event. Andreescu struggled a bit in her first set Friday against Tereza Martincova, yet still comfortably advanced in straight sets. Both players have significant weapons in their arsenal, but I give the edge to Andreescu based on her experience and grit, which we saw on display so often two years ago.
Karen Khachanov (14) vs. Jannik Sinner (21) – Second on Court 1
Their first meeting took place at last year’s US Open, where Sinner took the first two sets, but couldn’t close out the match as his body failed him. But the 19-year-old Italian avenged that loss last month at the Great Ocean Road Open in Melbourne, prevailing in a third-set tiebreak after over three hours. In their first two sets in New York, Sinner dictated play while striking twice as many winners as unforced errors (28-14). In those same two sets, Khachanov went 0-5 on break points. If Sinner can obtain that same level today, he should be able to prevail. The 24-year-old Russian has dropped out of the top 20 since his breakout 2018 season, and as per Tennis Abstract, is a dismal 7-17 against top 50 opposition since the start of last year. I like Sinner’s chances to reach the fourth round of a Masters 1,000 event for the first time.
Other Notable Matches on Sunday:
Karolina Pliskova (6) vs. Jessica Pegula (29). They’ve played four sets over the last few weeks, with Pegula dropping a total of six games.
Felix Auger-Aliassime (11) vs. John Isner (18). Their only previous encounter was two years ago in the semifinals of this same event, with Isner prevailing in two tiebreak sets.
Naomi Osaka (2) vs. Nina Stojanovic (Q), who saved two match points on her way to victory against Yulia Putintseva in the last round.
Daniil Medvedev (1) vs. Alexei Popyrin. Medvedev is 2-0 against the 21-year-old Australian, who is appearing in only his third Masters 1,000 tournament.
Sofia Kenin (4) vs. Ons Jabeur (27), who suffered in the heat two days ago and had to be attended to on-court. Kenin is 4-0 against Jabeur at tour level.
Roberto Bautista Agut (7) vs. Jan-Lennard Struff (31). The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 3-1, though the German claimed their last meeting, a year ago in Dubai.
Sunday’s full Order of Play is here.
