2021 US Open First Round – Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar taking place? Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA
When is Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar on and what time does it start? Monday 30th August, 2021 – not before 17:15 (UK)
What surface is Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar being played on? Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar
What channel is Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar on in the UK? Amazon have exclusive rights to show the 2021 US Open in the UK so it is worth checking the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs for Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar
Where can I stream Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers may be able to stream Mikhail Kukushkin vs Pablo Andujar live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
MIKHAIL KUKUSHKIN
Mikhail Kukushkin qualified for this year’s US Open as one of two lucky losers alongside Bernabe Zapata Miralles. Kukushkin, of Kazakhstan, has been a consistent and solid player at Grand Slam events for much of the last decade. Fourth round appearances at the Australian Open in 2012 and at Wimbledon in 2019 remain his joint best finishes but he has also had five third round appearances at the US Open since 2013.
PABLO ANDUJAR
Unlike Kukushkin, Andujar hasn’t had a plethora of steadily consistent performances at Grand Slam events but he has had some notable performances such as a fourth round finish at the US Open in 2019. He has won four ATP World Tour 250 series events with the most recent of them coming in April 2018. Andujar is currently ranked at number 73 in the world as of August 2021 and has reached the second round limit at all three Grand Slam events so far in 2021.
THE PREDICTION
Despite only qualifying as one of the luckiest losers, Mikhail Kukushkin will come into this match as the favourite. It is unusual for the Kazakh to not make it past the first round. Andujar should take at least one set from his opponent and the possibility of this one going all the way to five sets is quite high. These two met in Madrid in May whereby Andujar came out on top but their only Grand Slam meet was at Wimbledon in 2019. Kukushin dominated the match, winning in straight sets. A sharing of sets is likely with the Kazakh the favourite.
