Elias vs Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov didn't take part in the US Open qualifs, I don't really know why as last year he did reach the 3R and he did beat Verdasco, only losing to Murray in 4 sets, and so he had lot of points to defend but anyway he is actually in Italy and this is now is second challenger in a row, before winning the one last week. He is not unbeatable for the challenger players, as last week was "only" his 1st victory in 5 attemps.

Gastao Elias is mostly a player from the challenger tour and the former #100 did reach a final already in a challenger early this year only losing to Daniel Gimeno Traver. He is a clay court specialist and plays on Challenger Tour since a long times, struggling to make it though the top 100.

However key stats here, the both players meet twice on clay courts last year and Elias won both encounters, and one was in the Rolland Garros qualifs.