US Open Juniors Preview

Finally as the 2nd week of the US Open rolls around, today marks the first day of the Junior Tournament. The qualifying took place this weekend,and here are a list of the qualifiers:

1. Gabriel Hocevar, Brazil
2. Yusuki Takahshi, Japan
3. Francis Tiafoe, USA
4. Reilly Opelka, USA
5. Alex Rybakov, USA
6. Alexandre Muller, France
7. Taylor Fritz, USA
8. Thomas Colautti, Great Britain

With those 4 qualifiers, there will be 16 Americans in the 64 person draw (25% of the Draw). The Americans will be lead by 5th seeded Stefan Kozlov (Pembroke Pines, FL). Kozlov is the only seeded player but not the only one expected to make some noise. USTA National Champion Collin Altamirano has some high expectations for this tournament as well. This is his first junior international tournament (I have been told), let alone his first Junior Grand Slam. But like Kalamazoo, he is coming into New York with a purpose despite him not being seeded. He will play Duck Hee Lee of Korea in the first round today. Noah Rubin will be looking to also make a run in his hometown as he plays German Hannes Wagner in the first round.
However, Rubin would be paired up with Wimbledon Junior Champion Gianluigi Quinzi in the 2nd round if they were both to advance.1st Seed Alexander Zverev from Germany who went from having to be in the Australian Open Junior Qualifying Draw to a 1 seed in the main draw (at a grand slam) has had a very successful year and will be looking to cap the year off by winning this title.

Like I predicted, American Ernesto Escobedo and Australian Thanasi Kokkinikas both took wildcards into this tournament at the last minute. Kokkinikas will be looking to win his first junior grand slam after falling short in the Australian Open final and being a little rusty at Wimbledon after being out of the game for 6 months.

On the flip side, American Spencer Papa and Serbian Nikola Milojevic both withdrew from the tournament recently.

My Picks for today:
Aragone vs. Taltot
Silva vs. Corinteli
Bambridge vs. Medvedev
Silva vs. Ymer
Redlicki vs. Maruscek
McDonald vs. Nunez
Bourchier vs. Kernzerman
Altamirano vs. Lee
Onishi vs. Norrie
Marterer vs. Saito
Coric vs. Paul
Kozlov vs. Meidler
Khachonov vs. Soendergaard
Galleguillos vs. Zheng
Geens vs. Hong
O'Mara vs. Kim

Have a Great Day,
Fry That Chicken