Preview of all the singles action at Flushing Meadows today and in the early hours of tomorrow.
The US Open has always been the year’s most unpredictable Grand Slam, a place where the outside seeds come hoping for an allusive shot at Grand Slam glory; once again, it has delivered.
Pre-tournament favourite Carlos Alcaraz and defending champion Novak Djokovic have already fallen, while in the women’s draw, defending champion Coco Gauff was also a casualty of the curse of the defending champion in New York.
With only one previous champion left in both the Women’s and Men’s draws, the US Open looks set to once again deliver a new Champion.
But who will it be?
Paula Badosa (26) vs Emma Navarro (13)
Start time: 17:00
H2H: Badosa 1/ Navarro 0
The first match of the quarter-finals sees only the second meeting of Spain’s Paula Badosa and home favourite Emma Navarro. Their first encounter came earlier this year at the Rome Masters, which Badosa won in three sets, however seeing as this match was played on clay this tells us relatively little.
In terms of their runs to the quarter-finals, Badosa has had a much easier time of it, with her highest ranked opponent ranking 48th in the world. Navarro on the other hand has had to overcome Marta Kostyuk and Coco Gauff in consecutive rounds.
While this highlights that Navarro is playing very well, does it mean that she will be more fatigued than her opponent Badosa?
Maybe, but probably not. I think that home support and the confidence she’ll have after beating Gauff, will help Navarro over the line.
Navarro in 2.
Taylor Fritz (12) vs Alexander Zverev (4)
Start time: 18:15
H2H: Fritz 4/ Zverev 5
A real grudge match awaits us in the first of the men’s quarter-finals, which sees Taylor Fritz play Alexander Zverev in a rematch of their enthralling round of 16 clash at Wimbledon. Fritz was the winner that day, coming from two sets down, and some choice words from his wife about Zverev after the match will likely have the German fired up for their tenth meeting.
Both players are huge servers with exceptionally powerful ground strokes and this fiery encounter will likely be one of the matches of the tournament. Both Fritz and Zverev have had good seasons, but a shot at a Grand Slam title is on the cards and both men are in the easier half of the group. They will both be aware that his could be their best chances, for a while, at a Grand Slam title.
Fritz picked up an excellent win against Ruud in the Round of 16, hitting 24 aces, and is aiming to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. Zverev, on the other hand, has been in this exact position before and that experience will make him the favourite.
I expect an exciting back and forth, but feel Zverev will eventually prevail.
Zverev in 4.
Aryna Sabalenka (2) vs Qinwen Zheng (7)
Start time: 00:00
H2H: Sabalenka 2/ Zheng 0
By far the most exciting match of the day comes in the second women’s quarter-final, where Aryna Sabalenka meets Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
Despite not yet winning a major title, Zheng has been the breakthrough player on the WTA circuit this year. Having put together some excellent performances, Zheng put together her best tennis to win gold in Paris, beating Iga Swiatek (on clay!) in the process.
While Zhang has had a magnificent season, the favourite for this match and the title in general will be Sabalenka, who has looked imperious on hard courts all season. Having beaten Zheng in last year’s US open and in the Australian Open final earlier this year, Sabalenka will be confident her monstrous hitting will be too much for Zhang.
I like Zhang, and she will win Grand Slams in the future, but I struggle to see anyone getting past Sabalenka on this occasion.
Sabalenka in 3.
Grigor Dimitrov (9) vs Frances Tiafoe (20)
Start time: 01:15
H2H: Dimitrov 3/ Tiafoe 1
The last of the day’s matches is an intriguing match-up between Grigor Dimitrov and Frances Tiafoe. Much like with Zverev and Fritz, both men will be aware that this is perhaps the best chance they’re going to get of making a Grand Slam final and will be desperate not to let it slip away.
Dimitrov was once thought of as one of the future stars of tennis, but a number of injuries appeared to have stopped him from reaching his full potential. However, 2024 has represent somewhat of a resurgence in Dimitrov’s career. He has now made his second Grand Slam quarter-final this year, the first time he has done that since 2014, and has a serious shot at winning the US Open.
Tiafoe is, however, no slouch. The American made the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2022 before losing out to eventual champion Alcaraz in five sets and has looked excellent this time round.
Dimitrov vs Tiafoe promises to be an excellent blend of styles and should produce a wonderful match. However, I am going to go with Dimitrov to win, not only against Tiafoe, but to win the title in general. Following in the footsteps of Stan Wawrinka, hitting his peak towards the supposed backend of his career.
Dimitrov in 4.
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