Week Two of the 2023 US Open begins with a terrific slate of matches on the men’s side. Four ATP matches will take place on Sunday inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, including the No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic taking on 25-year-old qualifier Borna Gojo. There will also be four American men in action all looking to push their way into the quarterfinals. But who will advance?
US Open Men’s Day 7 Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Rinky Hijikata
Damian:
Hijikata breaking the top 100 by making it this far in New York certainly wasn’t on my bingo card, but the Australian has this bit of a turbo-mode that he unleashes sometimes when he’s extremely confident. It’s probably not going to be that useful here though. Tiafoe made the semifinals last year and looks ready for a deep run again. He’s just the better player by a wide margin.
Prediciton: Tiafoe in 4
Jordan:
How impressive Hijikata‘s win was against Zhizhen Zhang slipped somewhat under the radar. Zhang came into it as the favourite after his devastating hitting against Casper Ruud in the last round, but the Australian did a phenomenal job of stifling and nullifying the Chinese player. I think this will be tighter than some expect. Tiafoe struggled for long periods against the crafty and consistent Mannarino. I expect Hijikata to come very close with his athleticism and consistency, before falling just short.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 5
Shane:
Frances Tiafoe plays his best tennis under the bright lights in New York. He is 14-3 in his last 17 matches at the US Open. Hijikata has been playing some of the best tennis of his career this week, but I do not think he has the firepower to match Big Foe. The crowd will also be another factor that Hijikata must combat.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 4
Tommy Paul vs Ben Shelton
Damian:
Shelton’s tournament is literally the Australian Open so far – wins a few rounds in style to run into Paul. In Melbourne, he wasn’t able to beat him in a tight four-setter. The older of the Americans will be the favorite again. He’s in great form and his return plus athleticism can draw out errors from the 20-year-old and feed him a tough ball to unleash on.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Jordan:
This is so hard to call. Paul did of course beat Shelton in the Australian Open quarterfinal in four sets at the start of the season. However, I think the slightly slower conditions in New York this year are of benefit to Shelton in this matchup. He has time to wind up and place his huge groundstrokes where he wants them, and makes it more difficult for Paul to re-direct Shelton’s shots effectively. The younger American to win a very tight match.
Prediction: Shelton in 5
Shane:
We got a repeat of the All-American clash from the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinals. In that match, Paul used his baseline consistency and variety to best Shelton in four sets. I believe we see much of the same on Sunday. Shelton’s serve and power will help the 20-year-old find success, but ultimately I trust Paul to raise his level in the biggest moments of the match.
Prediction: Paul in 4
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Taylor Fritz vs Dominic Stricker
Damian:
There’s a universe where this is a cracking fourth-round match, but I don’t think it’s this one. Stricker is coming off back-to-back five-setters and has played a ton of tennis in New York already with his qualifying run. Fritz is both looking sharp and will be extremely well-rested, having barely spent time on court so far and not losing more than two games in a set.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Jordan:
Fritz has dropped a remarkably low 13 games in his first three matches. Is this where he ends his Grand Slam woes? It cannot be ruled out. Stricker has won two epic five-set contests in a row. He has already had a great tournament, and can try to exploit the weaker Fritz backhand with his big lefty forehand. But a fully fresh Fritz has his number here.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Shane:
Taylor Fritz has played some absolutely phenomenal tennis through three rounds at the US Open. He has not dropped more than two games in a set this week. Stricker is amidst his best slam run, and the 21-year-old has shown an elite ability to smash the ball off both wings. I see Stricker pushing the top-ranked American, but favor Fritz’s ability to serve his way out of trouble.
Prediction: Fritz in 4
Novak Djokovic vs Borna Gojo
Damian:
Gojo is breaking the top 100 at last with a banger of a run. The tennis that he’s played so far has been superb with peaking serve and extreme rally tolerance. A redlining big-hitter can always be dangerous to anyone, but Djokovic is perhaps the best-ever at disarming powerful shots coming at him. Gojo needs his serve to be at virtually unplayable levels throughout to win here.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Jordan:
Djokovic’s five-set match with Laslo Djere was a message to all those saying the 23-time Grand Slam champion has an easy route to the final. Gojo on paper is even more dangerous than Djere. The qualifier has won all three main draw matches without dropping a set, and has an ultra-aggressive style of play. There will be some spectacular sinners from Gojo, but Novak is very likely to be better prorated from the start this time.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Shane:
Djokovic survived a scare on Friday night when his countryman Laslo Djere put him in a 0-2 hole. That scare is all Djokovic needs to completely lock in for the rest of the tournament. He will not take this match against qualifier Borna Gojo lightly. I expect the 23-time Grand Slam champ to dominate from start to finish.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
