Tuesday at the US Open will see two men’s quarterfinal matches, including Nick Kyrgios’ attempt at a second straight Slam semifinal. Will he be successful? As always, our writers share their thoughts on the day’s matches. Predicting these matches are Jim Smith, Wesley Heilman, Damian Kust, and Jakub Bobro.
US Open Men’s Quarterfinal Predictions
Matteo Berrettini vs Casper Ruud
Jim:
It’s good to see Berrettini back at the business end of a Major after a dreadfully unlucky year for the Italian. The question is whether he is playing well enough to keep his campaign going. Ruud is obviously more comfortable on clay courts, but his consistent hard-hitting from the baseline serves him well on hard courts too and he will give little away. Berrettini at his best would probably win this match, but the Italian doesn’t look quite there yet.
Prediction: Ruud in 5
Wesley:
This feels like a very appropriate US Open quarterfinal. Neither player inspires me as a finals contender, but they are clearly better than the also-rans, and right at about the same level. The match should feature a lot of big baseline hitting, which is both players’ game, but I think Berrettini slices too often on the backhand side to be favored in the rallies. His forehand is huge, but Ruud defends well. Ruud also has a ton of power of his own, and Berrettini doesn’t move as well as the Norwegian. The serve favors Berrettini, though, and all in all this should be very tight and a difficult match to call, but I give Ruud a little more edge in the rallies. Berrettini would win on grass.
Prediction: Ruud in 5
Damian:
Casper Ruud hasn’t been perfect so far, but he’s done enough to advance. Literally the same could be said about Matteo Berrettini, whose level has been all over the place. The Italian has been a master of the best-of-five format recently, only losing to Djokovic and Nadal in his last five Majors. Is he ready to win again? It should be pretty tight with Berrettini possessing the more natural hard court game, while Ruud has the tools to punish his backhand and potentially outgrind him.
Prediction: Ruud in 5
Jakub:
Berrettini overcame very tough challenges in the last two rounds, beating Andy Murray and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, now turning into a Top 4 favorite for the title in my eyes. Ruud has done very well to make it to this point, especially outlasting Tommy Paul in the third round. The Norwegian will be a tricky opponent but Berrettini’s bigger game should come out on top here.
Prediction: Berrettini in 4
Nick Kyrgios vs Karen Khachanov
Jim:
Kyrgios has been playing some great tennis so far in New York, not least in beating the defending champion Daniil Medvedev, even if the Russian wasn’t at his best. But Khachanov is a dangerous opponent and he’s looked sharp too. Ultimately, however, the Russian might be a little short of variety. Give Kyrgios a rhythm and he will take advantage.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
Wesley:
Kyrgios is back on point after seeming to struggle with some tennis fatigue over the last month. His motivation and energy level is high, and his sharpness has risen accordingly. Beating the #1 player in the world twice in a month will have you favored over just about anyone, too. Khachanov had a good showing against an inconsistent Pablo Carreno Busta last round, and demonstrated his resolve by sticking it out in a match that went to five, but Kyrgios looks to be at too high a level for the Russian.
My only concern is the Khachanov’s big and high-bouncing forehand going to Kyrgios’ wristy forehand, the latter of which is not built so well for high-bouncing shots. But I think the diversity of Kyrgios’ game should prevail, and I would not be surprised to see him bring Khachanov to the net as often as he did Medvedev, with similar results.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
Damian:
Nick Kyrgios can still probably be outlasted physically in the humid New York conditions and Karen Khachanov is one of the players who could possibly do that. But the Australian is literally playing like a new man this year. With how close their matches so far have been, it’s kinda ridiculous that everyone considers Kyrgios an untouchable favorite–but at the same time, it’s completely justified. After barely missing out on a Slam at Wimbledon, he’s got another big chance here.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
Jakub:
Kyrgios put out an incredible performance to take out defending champion Daniil Medvedev, winning the first set tiebreak within millimeter margins and keeping incredibly solid on serve after. The World No. 1 just could not find a way to effectively challenge Kyrgios in sets three and four while the Australian return game became sublime. Khachanov got a good win over Pablo Carreno Busta in five sets but I would be shocked if he came close to winning here.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 4
