U.S. Open R4 previews and predictions: Medvedev vs. Tiafoe, Berretini vs. Rublev

Daniil Medvedev will clash with in-form Frances Tiafoe in a wide open U.S. Open draw. Matteo Berretini and Andrey Rublev will also fight for a spot in the quarterfinals on Monday, just as they did last year.

(3) Daniil Medvedev vs. Frances Tiafoe

Daniil Medvedev is now a co-favorite (with Dominic Thiem) to win the tournament, this courtesy of Novak Djokovic’s default for unintentionally hitting a linesperson during his match with Pablo Carreno Busta earlier on Sunday. Medvedev is no stranger to the latter stages of the U.S. Open. The world No. 5 offended and then thrilled New York fans last year with a contentious but courageous run the final. The difference is that this time, no member of the Big Three (Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal) will be waiting for him.

Medvedev has run into Frances Tiafoe twice before, once this year at the Australian Open. The Russian won both encounters, although Tiafoe snagged a set in Melbourne. The American plays a classic hard-court game. The world No. 82 relies on a powerful serve and a big, hard forehand. When he’s clicking, as he was against Marton Fucsovics, he can hit players off the court.

Medvedev’s game is more unconventional and his deceptive speed around the baseline makes him difficult to hit off the court for opponents like Tiafoe. Expect the favorite to try to extend points and force Tiafoe into going for too much.

Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 4

Ricky pick: Medvedev in 3

(6) Matteo Berretini vs. (10) Andrey Rublev

This fourth-round match has the potential to be a real blockbuster. It also happens to be an exact rematch of their battle a year ago in New York at the exact stage, except back then Matteo Berretini was No. 25 in the world and Andrey Rublev was ranked No. 43.

Until this week, Berretini had won exactly two matches in two tournaments in 2020, so he hasn’t exactly been lighting the courts on fire. He had decent wins in his first three rounds–over Go Soeda, Ugo Humbert, and Casper Ruud–but Rublev is a different matter entirely.

Conversely, Rublev actually was on fire prior to the COVID-19 layoff. The Russian won back-to-back tournaments in Doha and Adelaide to start the season. He fell to Daniel Evans in the first round of Cincinnati last week, but he’s been tidy so far at the U.S. Open.

Berretini holds a 3-1 record over Rublev, including the fourth-round win in New York last year. Rublev’s only victory came earlier in the 2019 season in Marseille. Despite the head-to-head history, the Russian has been playing better tennis.

Cheryl pick: Rublev in 4

Ricky picks: Rublev in 4