A spot in the 2020 US Open men’s quarterfinals is on the line on Sunday with Denis Shapovalov squaring off with David Goffin, and world #1 Novak Djokovic looking to continue his string of dominant showings. Our panel of Damian Kust and Ewan West offer their predictions.
Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Damian: This feels like a matchup Djokovic has absolutely no right to struggle in. To some extent, Carreno Busta plays a similar game to the Serbian but has a lot less weaponry. Taking out Djokovic in extended baseline rallies is almost impossible, so Carreno Busta would have to really step out of his comfort zone to have any chance at succeeding here. Djokovic in 3
Ewan: Djokovic took Jan-Lennard Struff apart in round three and has not looked in any real danger so far. As a 2017 US Open semi-finalist and former top 10 player, Carreno Busta should not be dismissed. He has played well, albeit against three lower-ranked opponents he was expected to beat. While the Spaniard hits a flat ball not too dissimilar to Roberto Bautista Agut – who has had success against Djokovic – his 0-3 record against the Serbian (0-1 on hard courts) demonstrates how his game lacks the same penetration and consistency of his fellow Spaniard in this matchup. It is hard to see how Carreno Busta can trouble the world #1 on these relatively fast courts. Djokovic in 3
Denis Shapovalov vs David Goffin
Damian: Can this fourth set turnaround against Taylor Fritz become a career turnaround for Denis Shapovalov? The Canadian is serving great at this year’s US Open, but he’s still facing most of the same issues that have been troubling him for years. Lack of patience and poor shot selection can hurt him against a player like Goffin, who doesn’t have such amazing shotmaking quality but is much more methodical. Much will depend on Shapovalov here but based on his impressive “never give up” attitude against Fritz, I’ll take him to prevail in another tense battle here. Shapovalov in 5
Ewan: This is toughest men’s match to call on Day 7. Goffin won the only previous meeting in two tight sets in Tokyo last year. The Belgian has looked solid so far, including in a surprisingly comfortable win against the in-form Filip Krajinovic in his previous match. Shapovalov has found a way through despite not having his best tennis. He showed character to come back from 2-5 down in the fourth set against Taylor Fritz in the third round. Goffin is looking to reach his first US Open quarter-final – having made the last-eight at the other three majors – while the Canadian is aiming to make his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. The world #10’s greater consistency may give him the edge against his explosive opponent. Goffin in 5
Borna Coric vs Jordan Thompson
Damian: Borna Coric’s win over Stefanos Tsitsipas will be one of these that will stay with us long after the tournament. The Croat saved six match points (including a 0-40 on Tsitsipas’ serve) before ultimately prevailing in the fifth set tie-break. Coric has spent nine hours on court in his past two matches and it will be mostly his regenerative ability that will determine how this fourth round clash will look. Jordan Thompson has done well to make the most of a good draw and make his first second week run at a Grand Slam. The Australian has a solid game that probably shouldn’t trouble Coric in normal circumstances but might do so combined with the accumulated fatigue. Still, the Croat looked way better physically than Tsitsipas and is among the fittest players on the tour. Coric in 4
Ewan: Thompson has dropped just two sets on his way to making his first Grand Slam fourth round. Coric survived six match points en route to upsetting Stefanos Tsitsipas in round three – due to a combination of luck and resilience. Though the Croatian has played back-to-back five-setters, he is known for his endurance. Coric is armed with the experience of this being his third major fourth round appearance, and he has shown enough quality this week to suggest he should overcome the Australian and make his first Grand Slam quarter-final. Coric in 4
Alexander Zverev vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Damian: This is a fantastic run from the Spaniard, who’s only playing his third Grand Slam main draw. But while against his opponents so far Davidovich Fokina had a lot of time to implement his drop shots and other unusual tactics, Zverev will not leave him that much space. The German is bound to make Davidovich Fokina struggle with his extreme pace and it is unlikely that the Spaniard will be able to return Zverev’s big serve with any consistency. Zverev in 3
Ewan: Although Davidovich Fokina was known to possess talent, his run has been a real surprise. The Spaniard’s second round win against Hubert Hurkacz was particularly impressive. Zverev – like at the Australian Open after the ATP Cup – has so far been able to put his Cincinnati struggles behind him and play some of the better tennis of his Grand Slam career. While he has dropped a set in each round, he has looked good against fairly tough early opponents. His second serve has still been problematic, but his dominant first serve has covered for that. The German’s form and experience at this stage of a major should see him through to a first US Open quarter-final. Zverev in 3
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