After an opening week filled with high-intensity matches, it’s time for the US Open to move to the business end of the tournament. The second and final week of the hard court Grand Slam begins tomorrow with eight fourth round matches across the men’s and women’s singles category.
Some of the key names playing tomorrow include Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Karolina Pliskova. Here’s a quick look into the eight matches which will take New York by storm on Monday, September 6. The action begins at 11am local time.
Novak Djokovic vs Jenson Brooksby
The World No. 1 looks in fine fettle this season, winning all three Grand Slam tournaments. During his opening three matches in New York however, the Serb faced the jitters occasionally. Meanwhile, Brooksby stunned 21st seed Aslan Karatsev in a five-set thriller in the third round yesterday.
This will be the first meeting between Djokovic and Brooksby in their professional careers. While the 20-year-old looks an exciting prospect, expect Djokovic to face another tough test on his march towards history.
Prediction: Djokovic to win in four sets.
Alexander Zverev vs Jannik Sinner
This match could be the pick of the lot in the men’s singles category tomorrow. Although Zverev comfortably reached this stage, Sinner found it slightly more difficult. He outlasted Gael Monfils in a five-set thriller in the third round.
Alexander Zverev of Germany hits to Jack Sock of the USA on day six of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to this fixture, both players faced each other twice, having one win apiece. Although this match looks evenly poised, expect Zverev to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Zverev to win in four sets.
Matteo Berrettini vs Oscar Otte
Coming through the qualifiers, Otte is enjoying one of his most successful runs in a Grand Slam. Although he stunned 20th seed Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, his fiercest test comes in the form of Berrettini. The Wimbledon finalist needed five sets to get past Ilya Ivashka in the third round.
They faced each other just once, during the 2018 French Open. While Berrettini won that match in four sets, fans can expect the Italian to beat the German once again. However, this could go down to the wire given the form they are in at the moment.
Prediction: Matteo Berrettini to win in five sets.
Reilly Opelka vs Lloyd Harris
The tall American is enjoying quite an eventful hard court season. After reaching the final of the National Bank Open, Opelka scored impressive victories in his first three matches at the US Open. Meanwhile, Harris pulled off a huge upset over seventh seed Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
While Opelka leads their head-to-head 1-0, it looks like Harris’ could end the American run in New York tomorrow.
Prediction: Lloyd Harris wins in four sets
Shelby Rogers vs Emma Raducanu
Rogers pulled off the biggest upset in the third round by defeating top seed Ashleigh Barty. Meanwhile, Raducanu, one of tennis’ rising stars, dominated World No. 41 Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third round.
Despite over 100 places separating them in the WTA Rankings, Raducanu looks likely to win their first match against each other.
Prediction: Raducanu to win in straight sets.
Karolina Pliskova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
While both players are familiar foes, they take part in one of the highlight matches tomorrow. This will be the first time in this year’s US Open they face a seeded opponent.
In eight matches against each other, Pliskova holds a superior 6-2 record over the Russian. Given her exceptional form this year, expect the Czech to progress to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Pliskova to win in straight sets.
Maria Sakkari vs Bianca Andreescu
Sakkari defeated 10th seed Petra Kvitova in straight sets to reach the fourth round. Meanwhile, Andreescu defeated unseeded opponents as she seems to have regained her form at the right time.
(@biancaandreescu_)
The two players faced of in the Miami Open earlier this year, which Andreescu won. Although the Canadian won the 2019 US Open, Sakkari looks likely to end her run in 2021 tomorrow.
Prediction: Sakkari to win in three sets.
Belinda Bencic vs Iga Swiatek
Bencic‘s gold medal win in the Tokyo Olympics seems to have given her newfound confidence. In the third round, she defeated 23rd seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets. Meanwhile, seventh seed Swiatek beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit to seal her ticket to the fourth round.
Along with fine form, Swiatek also has a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head. Hence, fans can expect the Polish star to advance to her maiden quarterfinals in the US Open.
Prediction: Swiatek to win in three sets.
READ MORE: Why is Novak Djokovic Called Nole?
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