This half of the US Open males’s draw won’t have the star energy that the opposite half does, however we nonetheless have loads of nice tennis to see, and the #1 seed remains to be alive. Additionally, the surprises on this half of the draw make the later rounds unpredictable. Will Zverev come out of this half to achieve the ultimate? Or will we have now an sudden matchup subsequent Sunday? Earlier than we get to that, although, we have now to get by this spherical. As at all times, our writers right here at LWOT share their ideas on the matches with you. Predicting these matches are Andreas Pelekis, Ateet Shivastavra, and Zain Mustafa. Who do you suppose will attain the quarterfinals?
US Open Day 9 Predictions
Arthur Gea vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Andreas:
Gea is the primary fortunate loser to play a US Open fourth spherical since 2022, and what a chance the Frenchman has right here, towards one other unseeded opponent. Botic Van de Zandschulp, in the meantime, is eyeing a second US Open quarterfinal. He’s taken out some high gamers on the US Open through the years, and his consistency and reliability from the baseline would possibly give him the slight edge.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 4
Ateet:
Former quarterfinalist Botic van de Zandschulp backed up his large win over Alex de Minaur by defeating Zizou Bergs in a marathon. There wasn’t a lot to separate the 2, however van de Zandschulp held his nerve higher in the long run. Arthur Gea is having a dream run as a fortunate loser, however I believe he should wait somewhat longer to make his first Slam quarterfinal.
Prediction: Zandsculp in 4
Zain:
Arthur Gea has made pretty much as good a second go in a Slam as anybody just lately, because the fortunate loser now finds himself within the second week towards Botic van de Zandschulp. The primary serve will likely be key for both participant, as their video games are primarily based on getting free factors on serve. Other than that, whereas Gea has proven his baseline sport will be efficient on these arduous courts, van de Zandschulp remains to be the participant with the upper ceiling. In a back-and-forth battle, I believe the Dutchman’s superior baseline consistency proves to be the distinction.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 5
Karen Khachanov vs Learner Tien
Andreas:
Tien clawed again in an exciting five-setter towards Jakub Mensik, closing his match out simply earlier than 2 a.m. He’ll take to the court docket in one other evening match, as Khachanov has in the meantime upped his sport this match after a troublesome season. I may see Tien’s protection and counterpunching irritating his lower-ranked opponent; Khachanov has usually performed energy hitters in New York.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Ateet:
Karen Khachanov has as soon as once more discovered his finest tennis at a Slam and is taking part in with a lot larger confidence. His serve and forehand are weapons, however he might want to convey extra to the desk if he needs to beat Learner Tien. The American’s shot choice and defensive capabilities will power errors from Khachanov, and ultimately the strain will get to the Russian participant.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Zain:
Karen Khachanov as soon as once more finds himself within the second week of a Main, as he takes on Learner Tien for a spot within the quarterfinals. This matchup will likely be decided from the baseline, as each gamers are prepared counterpunchers who look to implement their patterns from the again of the court docket. Whereas Khachanov has expertise on his facet, at this level in each gamers’ careers, Tien is taking part in with extra confidence and has the upper ground degree. This could nonetheless be a aggressive match for stretches, however in the end the American, behind his lefty baseline sport, comes out on high.
Prediction: Tien in 4
Francisco Cerundolo vs Alexander Blockx
Andreas:
This ought to be an attention-grabbing Arthur Ashe Stadium match, with each gamers coming off large upsets: Cerundolo taking out Taylor Fritz, and Blockx defeating Flavio Cobolli. Cerundolo’s upset was a bit extra surprising, as he battled from two units down on Arthur Ashe. He’s a bit extra skilled on arduous courts, and whereas each have highly effective forehands, Cerundolo is the steadier participant of the 2.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 4
Ateet:
Francisco Cerundolo produced a significant upset within the third spherical, upsetting title contender Taylor Fritz from two units and a break down. Cerundolo improved his degree drastically after the primary few video games of the third set, and his forehand turned the largest shot on the court docket. He’ll want that firing as soon as once more to have any probability towards Alexander Blockx, who was glorious towards Flavio Cobolli. I’m going with the Belgian to make his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Prediction: Blockx in 4
Zain:
Francisco Cerundolo had one of many greatest wins of his profession within the earlier spherical when he took out Taylor Fritz from two units down. Now he takes on Alexander Blockx in a match that could be a nice alternative for both participant. The Argentine, along with his heavy forehand, has already proven how harmful he will be on this match. However with a pure letdown after an enormous win and Blockx being the participant extra suited to this floor, I believe the younger Belgian makes the quarterfinals right here.
Prediction: Blockx in 4
Alexander Zverev vs Luciano Darderi
Andreas:
If Zverev needs to win a second Grand Slam title on the US Open, he’ll must keep away from tedious lengthy matches because the heavy favourite. He performed significantly better in his third spherical win over Alejandro Tabilo, however Darderi did stun the World No. 2 of their final assembly in Rome. Zverev appears a bit extra comfy on court docket, however anticipate an in depth four-setter.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Ateet:
Having already performed two grueling five-setters, high seed Alexander Zverev desperately wanted a cleaner efficiency, and that’s what he did towards Alejandro Tabilo. He performed extra aggressively and dictated nearly all of the factors. Luciano Darderi defeated Zverev earlier this yr in Rome, however the German was bodily spent in that match. I anticipate Zverev to be medical right here.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Zain:
In unfavorable situations for his pure sport, Luciano Darderi has executed properly to make the second week on the US Open, the place he now faces Alexander Zverev. The final time these two gamers confronted off, to many individuals’s shock, it was the Italian who wore down his opponent bodily, handing Zverev a third-set bagel in Rome. On a tough court docket, the German ought to earn many extra free factors behind his first serve. Zverev began this match poorly however performed properly sufficient in his final match. If he builds on that degree, it’s fairly doubtless that he can have an excessive amount of for Darderi right here.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Essential Picture Credit score: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
