Outside of Daniil Medvedev, it is a surprising quarterfinal lineup in the bottom half of the U.S. Open draw. Medvedev is going up against Botic Van de Zandschulp on Tuesday, while Felix Auger-Aliassime is facing Carlos Alcaraz.
(Q) Botic Van de Zandschulp vs. (2) Daniil Medvedev
Van de Zandschulp is one of the most surprising U.S. Open quarterfinalists in recent memory. At No. 117 in the world, it would have been less surprising if he had lost in the first round of qualifying–which he almost did. The 25-year-old actually dropped the opening set in all three of his qualifying matches and in each of his first three main-draw efforts (against Carlos Taberner, Casper Ruud, and Facundo Bagnis). Van de Zandschulp finally got off to a fast start in the round of 16 on Sunday, when he upset Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1.
Up next for the Dutchman during quarterfinal action on Tuesday is Medvedev, and as you might expect they have never gone head-to-head. Much unlike his run to the 2019 final, Medvedev made little fuss of the first week. The second-ranked Russian did not lose a set or even play a tiebreaker against Richard Gasquet, Dominik Koepfer, Pablo Adujar, and Dan Evans. Medvedev is 22-3 in his last 25 matches and he has not lost to anyone outside the top 30 this season. Don’t be surprised if Van de Zandschulp is the first player to push Medvedev to a tiebreaker, but for the most part this will likely be another routine day at the office for the No. 2 seed.
Pick: Medvedev in 3 losing 11-14 games
(12) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Auger-Aliassime and Alcaraz will also be squaring off for the first time in their career. Alcaraz especially has joined Van de Zandschulp and Lloyd Harris as surprising quarterfinalists. The 18-year-old’s breakthrough performance is highlighted by a famous five-set upset of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round. He has also taken out Cameron Norrie (straight sets), Arthur Rinderknech (four), and Peter Gojowyczk (a second consecutive five-setter). Alcaraz, who captured his first ATP title earlier this summer in Umag, will climb to at least No. 39 in the world even if he loses on Tuesday.
The first week wasn’t easy for Auger-Aliassime, either. He outlasted Evgeny Donskoy 7-6(0), 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(8), made quick work of Bernabe Zapata Miralles, outlasted Roberto Bautista Agut in five sets, and most recently beat Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(6), 6-4 on Sunday night. Auger-Aliassime is getting night-session treatment again here, and it is obviously a situation he can handle. Alcaraz seemed to be nearing the physical wall against Gojowyczk (perhaps the mental one, too), which is another reason to like Auger-Aliassime’s chances.
Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4
WWW?
end of the line for BVZ….Med in 3;….No escape from Alcatraz….he will beat AA in 4.
FAA in 5. I’m not seeing much fatigue in Alcaraz’s results yet.
Medvedev in 3 losing 8-10 games
Zverev in 4
Djokovic in 3
There are signs Djokovic could be getting tired but he’s neck and neck with Medvedev at this stage. His win against Brooksby was softer than it looks.
If he can beat Berrettini, Zverev and Medvedev to win the title; he deserves all the accolades.
What’s the chances of that happening given Medvedev should cruise passed a fatigued FAA or Alcarez and Djokovic will have a reasonably competitive match against Berrettini and then probably a marathon against Zverev.
At 34+ and outside his biological prime against opponents close to their prime and in top form, it would be quite an achievement.
and he’s already dropped sets and showing signs of fatigue. Wow, he would be superhuman.