US Open Tennis 2016: TV Schedule, Picks for Wednesday Afternoon Draw
Novak Djokovic leads the pack of competitors commencing the 2016 U.S. Open's second round on Wednesday.
Following a shaky first-round victory over Jerzy Janowicz, the defending champion still must prove he's healthy enough to repeat. Along with the top-seeded star, Rafael Nadal, Milos Raonic, Marin Cilic, Angelique Kerber and Madison Keys will look to advance.
Let's take a look at Wednesday's schedule before breaking down a few of the top matches.
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Wednesday's Viewing Information
When: Play begins at 11 a.m. ET
TV Schedule: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET (ESPN) and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Novak Djokovic vs. Jiri Vesely
After a stunning first-round Olympic loss in Rio de Janeiro, uncertainty followed Djokovic into the U.S. Open. The 12-time Grand Slam champion had not since competed due to wrist issues until Monday.
Djokovic surrendered the second set to Janowicz, a massive underdog with a No. 247 world ranking, after receiving medical treatment in the opening set. He downplayed any injury concerns after the win, per BBC.com.
"Hopefully as the tournament progresses, I'll reach my peak," Djokovic said. "There are periods when you're not feeling 100 percent, but I don't think it's necessary to talk about this now. I'm just glad to come through this day, and let's keep on moving."
Despite the tournament's bumpy start, he ultimately secured another triumph in Queens, New York. ESPN Stats & Info highlighted his career U.S. Open success:
His Round 2 opponent, Jiri Vesely, survived a compelling five-set match against Saketh Myneni. In his last major, the 23-year-old upset No. 8-seed Dominic Thiem during his second-round Wimbledon contest. He also defeated Djokovic in their only encounter, ousting him from the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in April.
If he's not fully healed, Djokovic could suffer another early elimination in Flushing Meadows. He'll get pushed to his limit, but look for the No. 1 seed to escape a tough battle.
Pick: Djokovic in five sets
Madison Keys vs. Kayla Day
Keys, who has made the fourth round in five straight Grand Slams, nearly got booted in the opening slate.
After losing the first set and nearly dropping the second one in a tiebreaker, the 21-year-old engineered a late rally in Monday night's matchup against Alison Riske, which lasted until 1:49 a.m. ET.
"I didn't know I could play such great tennis after 1 a.m.," Keys said in her post-match interview, per WTATennis.com. "But it had to be after 1 a.m., where I started playing a little bit better, so I think that was the key. I'm not usually a morning person, but this kind of morning, I am."
The rising star now will now face 16-year-old Kayla Day, who upset Madison Brengle in her first career major matchup. Keys holds a rare experience advantage in a showdown where both American competitors combined are three years older than Serena Williams.
A lengthy Olympic run and grueling first-round matchup have likely worn Keys down, but she should muster enough energy to knock off the untested teenage upstart.
Pick: Keys in straight sets
Marin Cilic vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky
Outside of Andy Murray, Cilic is best positioned to capitalize on Djokovic's health and Roger Federer's absence. The 2014 U.S. Open champion is coming off a Western & Southern Open title where he conquered Murray in the final, and he rolled through Rogerio Dutra Silva in this tournament's first round.
The 27-year-old made a serious run at back-to-back U.S. Open titles before falling to Djokovic in last year's semifinals. Nevertheless, he improved his career Open record to 25-6.
Per ATPWorldTour.com, the No. 7 seed expressed confidence before his next matchup against Sergiy Stakhovsky.
"For me it feels different. I am feeling great," Cilic said. "Conditions suit my game. I know I can play great at Grand Slams. I had a really good run at Wimbledon and coming here having won Cincinnati I feel in really, really good form. It’s important to not lose that. It’s a different feeling to two years ago."
On Monday, Stakhovsky needed a fifth-set tiebreaker to vanquish Gastao Elias. Although an impressive comeback, the 30-year-old won't have enough left in the tank to pull off an upset.
Look for Cilic to maintain his momentum with another convincing win.
Pick: Cilic in straight sets
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