John Isner
The big-serving American is still going strong, entering this tournament as the #14 seed. He has had a solid 2019 to date, going 25-12 in singles matches with 1 title to his name. He is yet to drop a set all tournament, with two relatively routine wins to start off. Flushing Meadows has been good to him previously, sporting a 28-12 career record before this year.
Marin Cilic
Still a strong force on tour, the Croatian vet enters this tournament as the #23 seed. 2019 hasn’t been his best season, compiling a 15-13 record and claiming under $1 million in prize money. He has also enjoyed 2 comfortable wins so far, dropping just 1 set in the process. He is an outstanding 35-9 for his career at the US Open, claiming his lone grand slam here in 2014.
Prediction: Over 44.5
With two absolutely elite servers, breaks will be at a premium in this match. The oddsmakers can’t really split these two, making me think we’re in for a tight affair here. If we get even 4 sets, I think 1 or 2 tie-breakers should carry us over in this one.
Monfils
Monfils is another veteran still competing fiercely, enjoying the current #13 ranking. His 2019 to date has been very impressive, compiling a 28-11 record and winning a title. He is yet to drop a set in this tournament, only being taken to a tie-break 1 time. He has a solid record at the US Open for his career, going 25-12 before this year.
Shapovalov
The flashy young Canadian enters this tournament with a ranking of #33. He has had an indifferent 2019 so far, going 20-19 in singles matches with no titles. He’s looked excellent in the first 2 rounds, dispatching of Auger-Aliassime and Laaksonen with ease. The US Open is statistically his best grand slam, now boasting a strong 7-2 record.
Prediction: Monfils -1.5 Games
While these are two flashy and exciting competitors, Monfils is ultimately the more consistent of the two. I think he has the patience and all-around game to trouble Shapovalov here and expect him to win relatively comfortably. Given his ability to win sets comfortably, I particularly like the -1.5 games handicap here.