First 5 US Open matches, predictions and expectations

The last Grand Slam of the year is here, a historic one too, especially for the likes of Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
While all eyes will be on these three and also whether Rafa Nadal can revive his career, people have already started anticipating the fixtures of second week.

But in midst of the anticipated blockbusters we have brought to you the five first round matches you need to watch.

Take a look!

Djokovic vs Saza

They have faced each other twice, the first one being the 2014 Roland Garros where Djokovic beat him 6-1,6-2,6-4 and the second one being US Open 2013. Here it wasn’t a beating, it was brutal as at the end of the match the score card read 6-0,6-2,6-2. Saza is ranking 78 as of May 2015.

Saza is also known for playing the longest match in the Davis Cup history, losing to Leonardo Mayer in 6 hours and 42 minutes with the score being 6–7, 6–7, 7–5, 7–5, 13–15.

For Djokovic, he is aiming at his 3 slam this year after already bagging the Australian Open  and the Wimbledon.

This year, the odds without a doubt are in favour of Djokovic but still, you never know, it might just be Saza’s time.

Mardy Fish vs Marco Cecchinato

This will be the first time they’ll be playing against each other on court. The 22-year-old Cecchinato holds a ranking of 97, which has been his career highest. In 2014, Cecchinato qualified for Umag, played No. 6 seed and countryman, Andreas Seppi. He lost in the first round, but was able to take a set from Seppi.

As for Mardy Fish, he has officially declared that this will be his last tournament. He is best known for his April 2011 overtaking of compatriot Andy Roddick to become the American No. 1 in the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 in August 2011.

His first match of his last slam, sure as hell would be intriguing, as the entire tennis world looks forward to it.

Tommy Haas vs Fernando Verdasco

They’ve faced each other 4 times, starting from the 2006 Cincinnati masters, which Haas won 6-3, 6-4. The second time was 2008 Indian Wells masters where again, Haas came out to be the winner with the score being 7-6(5) 4-6 6-1. The third time it was the US Open, this went to be one of the longest matches in quite some time. With Verdasco having a knack for 5 setter matches, he emerged victorious 3-6,7-5,7-6(8), 1-6, 6-4.

The 4 time was Rotterdam, a 3 setter match which came on to be very close. The match ended with Haas winning the game 6-7(4) 7-6(1) 7-5.

Let’s see if Verdasco still has it in him to put on a 5 set show again.

Pablo Andujar vs Teymuraz Gabashvili

Both of them had conspicuous matches last year and this year’s slams. They’ve gone head to head thrice before. Twice in the same year in 2008, first being Telde Challenger and the second Milan Challenger with Gabashvili as the winner. The 3rd one was this year, Miami masters again with Gabashvili as the winner.

The spectators are looking forward to this match. Will it be Gabashvili again?

Rafael Nadal vs Borna Coric

They have only met each other once, during the Basel tournament, with Coric as the winner. The score being 6-2, 7-6(4). For Nadal, this is his comeback slam, with him constantly opting out of tournaments due to injuries.

Nadal lost to eventual runner-up Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the French Open, ending his winning streak of 39 consecutive victories in Paris since his defeat by Robin Söderling in 2009.

Ćorić made his second ATP 500 semifinal of his career in Dubai, defeating world number 3, Andy Murray, in straight sets in the quarterfinals, his second win over a top 5 player and this was despite Ćorić losing in the qualifying tournament, and requiring entrance into the main draw as a Lucky Loser.

All eyes are on Nadal, as all await his great recurrence.