US Open 2020: Mikhail Kukushkin vs Jordan Thompson preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: Mikhail Kukushkin vs Jordan Thompson

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: 3.30 pm EDT, 1 am IST

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel / ESPN | India - Star Sports / Disney+ Hotstar VIP

Mikhail Kukushkin vs Jordan Thompson preview

Mikhail Kukushkin had an intense match against Cristian Garin, the 13th seed, in the second round of the 2020 US Open on Wednesday. The contest stretched to five sets, with Mikhail Kukushkin edging it by a 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 7-5 scoreline.

The 32-year-old dug deep late in the match, breaking the Chilean youngster in the final game of the fifth set to claim the win. Kukushkin had defeated Hungary's Attila Balázs in straight sets in the previous round, so it would be fair to say he is on a strong run of form.

Jordan Thompson meanwhile has had two four-set victories in the competition so far, beating Stefano Travaglia and Egor Gerasimov in the first two rounds.

His Round-of-64 battle against Gerasimov finished with a 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 scoreline, and resulted in the Australian making it to the third round of the US Open for the first time in his career. He could not make it past the qualifiers at the Cincinnati Masters last month but seems to have turned things around now.

Mikhail Kukushkin vs Jordan Thompson head-to-head

Mikhail Kukushkin and Jordan Thompson have met on tour just once before, in the first round of the 2017 Miami Masters, with the Kazakh leading the head-to-head 1-0. The Australian retired halfway through the third set of that match, giving Kukushkin the win by a 1-6, 6-1, 3-0 scoreline.

Mikhail Kukushkin vs Jordan Thompson prediction

Can Jordan Thompson make it to his first-ever Grand Slam Round of 16 at the US Open?

Mikhail Kukushkin's solid baseline play will be the key for him against Jordan Thompson, who has a potent serve and decent court coverage. The Kazakh's backhand worked wonders against Garin and it might play an important role once again.

Thompson's big and fiery forehand will be his biggest strength going into this fixture. Moreover, Kukushkin's five-set encounter in the second round and Thompson's relatively shorter matches might bring the fatigue factor into play - especially if this match goes the distance.

Prediction: Jordan Thompson to win in four sets.