US Open 2020: J.J. Wolf vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: J.J. Wolf vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Date: 3 September 2020
Tournament: US Open 2020
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York, USA
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $39,024,000
Match timing: 2 pm EDT, 11.30 pm IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports & Hotstar
J.J. Wolf vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview
Jeffrey John ‘J.J.’ Wolf will play his second ever Grand Slam main draw match against Roberto Carballes Baena in the US Open second round on Thursday.
In the first round, both Wolf and Carballes Baena showed the exit door to much more experienced and higher-ranked opponents in Guido Pella and Feliciano Lopez respectively. Their reward is a chance to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the very first time in their careers.
Compared to J.J. Wolf, Carballes Baena is a seasoned campaigner at Grand Slam events. The Spaniard has been part of the main draw at Majors on seven previous occasions, and that experience could come in handy against his rather mercurial opponent.
J.J. Wolf is a fast rising American talent who likes to play big shots and can pull off ridiculous winners with ease. However, he is known to struggle on the mental front, with frequent drops in concentration levels - as was visible against Guido Pella.
There is a lot at stake for both players in this match, and we can expect them to be at their very best.
J.J. Wolf vs Roberto Carballes Baena head-to-head
J.J. Wolf and Roberto Carballes Baena have never played each other before on the ATP Tour, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
J.J. Wolf vs Roberto Carballes Baena prediction
J.J. Wolf is a naturally gifted player who has the ability to dictate play from the baseline. At the same time, the American also enjoys coming forward - which gave him plenty of success in his first round match.
However, Wolf will have to measure his approach shots better as Carballes Baena can uncork some sizzling passes. The Spaniard hit nine passing winners against Lopez and could hurt Wolf in the same way.
J.J. Wolf has got a pretty good serve, but Carballes Baena will be more than prepared for it. The key for Wolf would be to close out points early by continuing with his attacking brand of tennis. If the rallies are drawn out, the Spaniard - whose defence is better than the American’s - would be at an advantage.
To win this match, Wolf would have to keep his errors to a minimum - because Carballes Baena will not give him too many free points.
Prediction: J.J. Wolf to win in five sets.