New York Open: John Isner, Frances Tiafoe, or the field?

The 2019 New York Open is underway in Uniondale, New York and all eyes are on the tournament’s top two players: John Isner and Frances Tiafoe.

John Isner and Frances Tiafoe headline action in men’s singles this year at the 2019 New York Open. The tournament was created last year in order to replace the Memphis Open. In 2018, South African tennis great Kevin Anderson defeated Sam Querrey in the finals. Querrey is the sixth seed this year and wins his opener. So does the top seeded Isner.

It’s difficult to pick against the towering Isner right now. The American is the current world number nine in men’s singles tennis and is also in desperate need of a strong tournament performance. Desperation and the pressing need to get his year going in the right direction might play in his favor.

So far on the year, Isner is just 0-2 in ATP men’s singles action. His early exit from the Australian Open was a major disappointment for him. The New York Open provides the opportunity to start his return to greatness on the 2019 ATP Tour. Isner claimed two titles in 2018, including a win at the Miami Masters and is looking to regain that momentum.

Tiafoe poses the biggest threat to Isner at the New York Open. The younger American has burst onto the scene in men’s tennis as of late. He opens his run in Uniondale against Jason Jung of Taiwan and should be considered a heavy favorite.

Can Tiafoe challenge Isner for a title shot at the New York Open? He definitely can. While Isner performed well during his opener against Bernard Tomic, he takes on another tough opponent in Jordan Thompson next.

Isner’s slow 2019 ATP Tour start might work against him in New York but it could also be a bigger motivating factor for the American tennis veteran right now. If we have to pick Isner, Tiafoe, or the field, however, we have to lean toward Isner. Experience, a stellar 2018 tour, and his opening round win give him the edge.

Keep an eye on Tiafoe during his meeting with Jung. Other players to watch include Querrey, Isner’s next opponent in the seventh seeded Thompson, and either Denis Istomin or Reilly Opelka. Istomin and Opelka face off on Thursday after Opelka upset the fifth seeded Adrian Mannarino. The winner of their matchup could continue to play spoiler moving forward. Stay tuned to see how the action shakes out at the 2019 New York Open.