US Open 2020: David Goffin vs Filip Krajinovic preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: David Goffin vs Filip Krajinovic
Date: 4 September 2020
Tournament: US Open 2020
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $39,024,000
Match timing: 1 pm EDT, 10.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP
David Goffin vs Filip Krajinovic preview
Seventh seed David Goffin has picked up two four-set wins at the 2020 US Open so far. His second-round encounter was against South Africa's Lloyd Harris, who he beat 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Goffin was knocked out of the Cincinnati Masters at the Round of 16 stage last month, by Jan-Lennard Struff. But the Belgian has made it to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows three years in a row, and would be hoping to do so again this year.
Filip Krajinovic meanwhile has had an excellent year and tournament so far. The Serbian has claimed straight-sets wins in both his matches at the 2020 US Open, including a routine 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 triumph against Marcos Giron in the second round.
Krajinovic had also made it to the quarterfinal at the Cincinnati Masters last month, where he was beaten by eventual finalist Milos Raonic in three sets.
Technically, Krajinovic is also the only player to beat Novak Djokovic this year - although not on the ATP tour. He got the better of the World No. 1 in the Belgrade leg semifinal of the Adria Tour earlier this year.
David Goffin vs Filip Krajinovic head-to-head
David Goffin and Filip Krajinovic have faced off thrice on tour so far, with the Serb leading the head-to-head 2-1.
Goffin held the upper hand in their first-ever encounter at Roland Garros 2017, claiming a four-set win in the first round. However, Krajinovic has got the better of the Belgian in the two matches played since, picking up straight-sets wins at Montpellier and Miami last year.
While the first match between the two was played on clay, the matches Krajinovic won were both on hardcourt. That might give him confidence going into their fixture on Friday.
David Goffin vs Filip Krajinovic prediction
David Goffin has been one of the most consistent players on tour over the last few years, but has not been able to make it to a US Open quarterfinal so far in his career. He's breached the milestone at the other three Slams, so this is one hurdle he would be eager to cross.
It will be interesting to see how Goffin's reliable baseline game works against Filip Krajinovic, whose groundstrokes have looked superb in the tournament so far. The Serb's backhand, in particular, has been excellent.
David Goffin has made a relatively slow start to the tournament, while Krajinovic has been going all guns blazing right from the first game. It would be crucial for the Belgian to be on his toes from the get-go on Friday, or else the Serb will grab the initiative with his aggressive hitting.
Prediction: Filip Krajinovic to win in four sets.