Daniil Medvedev had already bowed out, so with Rafael Nadal out of the tournament the bottom half of the U.S. Open draw is also wide open. That section will be back on the court on Wednesday, when quarterfinal action wraps up in New York. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Andrey Rublev, and Frances Tiafoe are the four players looking to capitalize on a huge opportunity.
(11) Jannik Sinner vs. (3) Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz and Sinner have already faced each other four times and this figures to emerge as one of tennis best rivalries moving forward. They are two of the top rising stars in the sport and projected to be future Grand Slam champions. Given their current level of play combined with the openness of the draw and that future could be now. In fact, Alcaraz could even become No. 1 in the world at the end of this U.S. Open. The 19-year-old Spaniard has won four titles in 2022–two at Masters 1000s and two at the 500 level. He also has two runner-up performances, a semifinal showing in Indian Wells, and a quarterfinal result at the French Open.
So far this fortnight Alcaraz has defeated Sebastian Baez, Federico Coria, Jenson Brooksby, and Marin Cilic–the latter in five sets. Sinner finds himself in the quarters following victories over Daniel Altmaier, Chris Eubanks, Brandon Nakashima, and Ilya Ivashka. The 21-year-old Italian needed five sets against both Altmaier and Ivashka. It is true that Sinner has won two straight against Alcaraz this season, but Alcaraz won their first two encounters–including their only previous matchup on a hard court. The world No. 4 has been the better player during this U.S. Open and looks closer than Sinner to fulfilling his incredible potential by capturing Grand Slam glory.
Pick: Alcaraz in 5
(9) Andrey Rublev vs. (22) Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe came up with the biggest win of his career on Monday afternoon, upsetting Rafael Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. This is his first U.S. Open quarterfinal appearance after reaching the fourth round last year and his second slam quarterfinal overall (previously the 2019 Australian Open). The 24-year-old preceded his victory over Nadal by beating Marcos Giron, Jason Kubler, and Diego Schwartzman all in straight sets.
Up next for Tiafoe on Wednesday is Rublev, whom he knocked off 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-1 in the U.S. Open third round last summer. Rublev cruised 6-3, 6-4 earlier this year in Indian Wells, so the head-to-head series is tied at one win apiece. The world No. 11 survived arguably the match of the tournament in the third round, outlasting Denis Shapovalov in a fifth-set tiebreaker. With momentum in hand, Rublev went on to erase Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday. The ninth seed is 0-5 lifetime in slam quarterfinals, but four of those losses have come to Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, and Medvedev again. Rublev came within a fifth-set tiebreaker of reaching the French Open semis this spring (lost to Marin Cilic). The Russian is knocking on the door and this time he looks poised to break through it.
Pick: Rublev in 5
Oh a new article!
I see Ricky has changed his pre tournament pick from Sinner to Alcaraz. It’s certainly true that Alcaraz seems to be the player in form.
I doubt that Tiafoe can play likehe did against Rafa but Rublev isn’t exactly reliable. Could go either way.
It sort of feels like the stars are aligning for Alcaraz to win his first slam as I don’t see either KK or Ruud as having the game to match him.
Yeah, Alcaraz feels like the most likely champion right now. He then has the keys to be the new Nadal? I havent seen many positive comments on here about him, maybe for that unpopular reason.
Im more interested in the womens TBH. Sabalenka or Garcia to win please.
But its all exciting with a first time winner guaranteed
Alcaraz has played for five plus hours, physically he’s at a disadvantage compared to Tiafoe.
I like Tiafoe’s chances vs Alcaraz, as Tiafoe is playing very well so far. In the other SF, I think KK could win that one.
I’ll pick Tiafoe Vs KK in the final.
And I hope KK to win the trophy here, he’s the oldest among the four, may not have that many chances to win a slam when the big two are back, plus a getting back to form Meddy and
a revived Zverev after injury break.
I am not sure about Alcaraz losing from here. He is tough mentally and at 19, long hours on the court might not be as issue for him. That said, big foe winning might be a fairytale ending for US open.
I heard the Alcaraz Sinner match was a classic. Didn’t see any of it. Props to Alcaraz. I have been somewhat curmudgeonly about him in the past but been very impressed by what I have seen this tournament. I think he goes all the way despite the back to back 5 setters. He’s the real deal.
I saw quite a lot of Rublev Tiafoe. . Tiafoe definitely played better. Rublev isn’t going to progress without a game which functions around the net and he has to improve his second serve.
I like Big Foe now but I don’t think he will beat Alcaraz unless Alcaraz is impeded physically.
Watched Pliskova Sabalenka with Pliskova putting on a horror show early on.
I don’t think any of the remaining semifinalists can beat Alcaraz unless he beats himself. He did have a very tough match v Sinner but he’s only 19 and tough and he has two full days to recover.
Obviously Alcaraz is a gifted and well-coached young man. The constant comparisons with Nadal are unfortunate. No one will ever replace him! Alcaraz may still beat himself. Winning a first grand slam in non-trivial, but at this point someone is going to do it.
Ramara, yes I agree. I just think he is playing at too high a level for the others to match him.
The comparisons with Rafa are a bit irritating but I have got tired of getting worked up about them. Rafa himself wants him to win!
I saw some of his match against Brooksby and when he broke back in the 3rd set he played at an insane level. He’s a worthy grand slam winner. I did want Jannik to win but he has come so close that he is going to win one soon. The Sinner Alcaraz rivalry is prob ably the next big rivalry in tennis. And a good thing too!
Obviously Rafa is my fave forever but one has to accept things as they are and this was a tournament too far for him.
I wanted Sinner to win. But I couldn’t stay up to see the end. It was a tough loss for him. I still can’t warm up to Alcaraz. There is something that I just don’t like. I appreciate his talent and his toughness but something is nit there for me.
I really have so much respect for Khachanov. Taking down Kyrgios with the crowd not on his side, showed some grit and heart. It could not have been easy. He did a real service to tennis getting Kyrgios out. At least I will be okay with whoever wins now. But I respect Khachanov after seeing him play so well.
I don’t think anyone is a sure thing to win. This has been so unpredictable.
Sorry. The Anonymous post is Nativenewyorker. I forgot to sign in
I just watched the highlights. Jannik is going to look back on that match point he had in the 4th. His first serve was not the best and missed a makeable bh.
Tough loss for him.
I did want him to win.
I should also say that I think Tiafoe is playing better and better with each match. When I saw his early round matches he was playing better with every round. He is continuing to play the best I have seen from him.
I think this is any one’s to win. The guys left are all playing very well. I didn’t know that Sinner had match point in the fourth set. You can’t miss those opportunities against Alcaraz.
Tiafoe would have the crowd with him. It’s just great to see these young guys stepping it up.