The US Open Men’s quarterfinals kick off on Tuesday with the last American man left standing in singles, Sam Querrey, taking on South Africa’s hope Kevin Anderson. One of the smallest players on tour, Diego Schwartzman, takes on fellow breakthrough player Pablo Carreno Busta in the other quarterfinal, as history will be made regardless of outcome. Steen Kirby, Yesh Ginsburg, Stefano Berlincioni, Jakub Bobro, and Ryan Schick offer their predictions.
Sam Querrey vs. Kevin Anderson
Steen: Anderson won the last meeting a few weeks ago but Querrey has been lights out in New York. After dominating his recent matches, he should overcome the Anderson serve+forehand combo and use his power to reach the semifinals. Querrey in 4
Yesh: It’s so hard to predict Querrey against Anderson. Both play similar games. Both hit huge serves. Both hit huge groundstokes. Both are supremely confident right now. I feel like Querrey is the less likely to crack under pressure, as he just reached a Slam semifinal in Wimbledon. He’s going to back up that result. Querrey in 3
Stefano: Two very similar players, with big serves and forehands and with a quite close h2h (9-6 Querrey). It will be a very mental match, decided by only a few points and also tiebreaks are expected. The home factor could give Querrey some edge. Querrey in 5
Jakub: In what will most likely be the tallest slam match ever (before Isner eventually plays Opelka at a slam, that is), I expect both players to be in it for the long haul. Querrey leads the head-to-head 9-6, and has already locked up the “Last American Man Standing” award. Sam also beat Anderson at Wimbledon earlier this year, but Anderson has won their last match (Montreal). With how well they have been playing thus far, I expect a solid match, but Anderson win in the end. (Just a friendly reminder that if you take Djokovic out, Querrey is No. 8 in the ATP finals Race). Anderson in 5
Ryan: With his stunningly quick win over Mischa Zverev, Sam Querrey becomes the top American man and advances into only his 3rd career major quarterfinal. Querrey rides his semifinal appearance at Wimbledon and his two titles this season into continued success in New York. Kevin Anderson is having a resurgent year and continues to dominate with his big serve and his groundstrokes looked as consistent as they ever have in his fourth round match against Lorenzi. Two big servers and powerful players face off in a tight match, but Querrey’s form plus the crowd behind him will propel him to victory. Querrey in 4
Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Diego Schwartzman
Steen: Both players have been clean and effective this tournament. Orginally entering the tour as clay courters, they have earned their stripes on hard courts and proven they can compete on this surface at the highest level. Carreno Busta probably has a higher ceiling but I feel like momentum favors Schwartzman. His run has been magical and I don’t see it ending quite yet. Schwartzman in 5
Yesh: Who would have ever imagined that we would see Pablo Carreno-Busta against Diego Schwartzman for a spot in a Grand Slam semifinal? There is a ton to love about Schwartzman’s game, and in a few years he will be a mainstay in Slam second weeks. Right now, though, Carreno-Busta is playing better and more consistently. Carreno Busta in 5
Stefano: Two solid baseline players, with Carreno having more experience and generally a little bit more than the Argentine in every department of the game. Considering the question mark about Schwarzman conditions (he looked injured during last set against Mannarino) I don’t think his fairy tale can continue. Carreno Busta in 4
Jakub: This match is very tricky to call, as Schwartzman has earned some great wins, while Carreno Busta is yet to drop a set (against qualifiers). They haven’t played each other yet. I think that despite not dropping a set yet, I expect Carreno Busta to lose. I believe that Schwartzman’s level will surprise PCB, which will ultimately be the Spaniard’s downfall. I suppose that makes Schwartzman a slam semifinalist, and moves him to No. 22 in the live ranking. If PCB wins, he will move to Top 10. Schwartzman in 4
Ryan: Diego Schwartzman has been one of the fun stories of the tournament, with a heavy Argentine fanbase on his side and many Americans falling in love with the 5’7″ Schwartzman with a scrappy game similar to that of a David Ferrer. He has surged to the quarters, dropping only two total sets, highlighted by a win over former champion Marin Cilic. Pablo Carreno Busta is the highest ranked player in the bottom half and has not dropped a set, but has lucked out in playing four qualifiers to this point. Schwarzman will test any player and will most definitely put up PCB’s toughest test. Both players have strong overall games, but Carreno Busta will be fresher and win more of the key points to be advance to the semis. Carreno Busta in 5
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