The first two days of action at the US Open betting prediction have created more memorable moments and storylines than some tournaments do altogether.
Serena Williams kept her career alive in the women’s draw with a first-round victory, while betting favorites Simona Halep and Stefanos Tsitsipas were upset in the first round.
While we’re still a round or two away from the real marquee matchups for ATP tennis bets, the second round has some interesting and intriguing matches.
Of course, tennis betting upsets are inevitable and will certainly occur in the second round. But who’s going down?
One of the more competitive matches in the second round of the men’s draw is John Isner (-160) vs. Holger Rune (+130).
Isner, a 37-year-old veteran, has never played the 19-year-old Dane, so Thursday’s match should be an interesting affair.
John Isner vs. Holger Rune
John Isner
Isner is one of the most physically imposing players on the ATP Tour and perhaps in history. He’s 6-foot-10, 238 pounds, and moves like someone who is much smaller.
While he’s not the fastest player on tour, he can still chase down volleys and get to the net when needed. His serve, however, is what sets him apart from other players. Isner is a 16-time champion on the ATP Tour and has a 21-16 record this season.
The world No. 48 recently reached the quarter-finals of the Western and Southern Open and defeated Frederico Delbonis (6-3, 6-1, 7-5) in the first round of the US Open betting prediction.
Holger Rune
Rune isn’t diminutive by any means but will look that way when he faces Isner. The 6-foot-2, 168-pound Dane is an explosive and agile player who plays a similar style, though not as hard-hitting, as Isner. He’s also right-handed and plays a two-handed backhand.
Ranked No. 33 in the world, Rune is 18-20 this season and won his first career title in Munich. He’s a much better clay court player and hasn’t exactly played well on the hard court as of late.
Rune lost to Cameron Norrie in the Round of 64 at the Western & Southern Open and hasn’t advanced past the Round of 16 in a hard court tournament this year.
Rune also lost his opening round match at Wimbledon in an upset to Marcos Giron, but looked good in his opening round win over Peter Gojowczyk in the US Open betting prediction.
John Isner vs. Holger Rune Matchup Analysis
Serve
It goes without saying, but Isner has the major advantage in serving here. He’s the tallest player on the ATP Tour and gets great extension on his serve.
Beyond that, he also happens to have the most aces in ATP Tour history, a distinction earned both through his impressive power and longevity. Prior to the start of the US Open, Isner had 13,947 aces.
Ivo Karlovic ranks second with 13,762, while Roger Federer is third with 11,452. Not many players can say they’re better than Federer at any aspect of the game.
Strategies and Tactics
Isner will look to dominate with his serve, while Rune will have to get Isner moving as much as possible to have a chance in this match.
If Rune can return Isner’s serve with consistency and earn a break or two throughout the match, he might have a shot.
Performance
Isner also has the advantage in terms of recent performance. Despite his advanced age at 37, the American is playing great tennis as of late and has taken down notable players like:
- Hubert Hurkacz
- Andy Murray
- Benjamin Bonzi
He’s at his best on the hard court. Rune, meanwhile, has struggled since shifting to the hard court.
He won the Bavarian International in Munich in a walkover in the final and reached the quarter-final of the French Open, but is just 3-9 since the French Open.
Crowd Support and How to Affect the Players’ Odds
The New York crowd at the US Open is one of the most, if not the most, enthusiastic and wild crowds in tennis, especially if there’s an American involved.
Isner will have the obvious home crowd advantage and is likely favored for tennis predictions so much because of that.
Rune is the higher-ranked player, but a combination of Isner’s serve, experience, and home crowd advantage has him as the betting favorite in this match.
Tennis Pick: John Isner (-160)
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