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Rafael Nadal vs. Karen Khachanov
Ashe Stadium, second match
Nadal, the No. 1 seed, has looked dominant under the lights this week, moving his opponents around methodically until he can get the perfect shot in play. Khachanov, a young Russian seeded 27th, is a tall baseliner who likes to keep the ball alive rather than go for the big shots. If Nadal can adjust to the young Russian’s pace, he’ll be able to take advantage of him.
Credit
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Denis Shapovalov vs. Kevin Anderson
Armstrong Stadium, third match
Anderson, last year’s finalist, meets Shapovalov, last year’s breakout star. They’ve both solidified their positions in the men’s game since then, and each would consider losing in the third round here a disappointment. They have never played before, however, so it’s hard to know how they’ll match up.
Karolina Muchova vs. Ashleigh Barty
Grandstand, fourth match
One of six Czech women in the third round, Muchova, 22, is having her big breakthrough at a major. This is the first Grand Slam tournament that she has qualified for, and on Wednesday night, she defeated the No. 12 seed, Garbiñe Muguruza, for her first victory over a player in the top 100. Barty is an crafty player, having spent her teenage years on tour playing doubles, and reaching all four major finals. If Muchova can continue to take control of the net the way she has in her first two matches, her underdog story could stretch into the second week of play.
Juan Martín del Potro vs. Fernando Verdasco
Arthur Ashe Stadium, second night match
Del Potro has had an easy pair of early round matches, breezing past two American players, Donald Young and Denis Kudla, but Verdasco should provide much stiffer opposition. Verdasco’s high-paced baseline approach to the game can be especially difficult to deal with on hard courts, although his heavy topspin shots might sit up perfectly for the 6-foot-6 Del Potro. Both players have famously powerful forehands. Here’s a taste of what that can look like:
Milos Raonic vs. Stan Wawrinka
Armstrong Stadium, 7 p.m.
Raonic has never been past the fourth round the Open despite a game tailor-made for hard courts and the heat. The weather will be cooler Friday, though, and that might slow down the balls a bit and give Wawrinka time to wind up for his powerful groundstrokes.
Thursday’s highlights
• Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 2 seed in the women’s draw, was upset in the second round by Lesia Tsurenko.
• An odd conversation between Nick Kyrgios and a chair umpire was the talk of the tournament.
• Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova advanced to the third round.
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