We've got three picks from the US Open quarter-finals today, and there's at least one result here that could genuinely surprise people. Who do you think makes it through to the semis?
US Open Predictions
Frances Tiafoe vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-head: Tiafoe 2-0 Michelsen
Tiafoe already owns both meetings with Michelsen, and the crowd at Arthur Ashe is basically a sixth sense for him. He feeds off that energy better than almost anyone on tour, and a quarter-final stage at his home Slam is exactly where he tends to find another level.
Michelsen is a real talent and he's been punching above his ranking for stretches this year, but getting to five sets against Tiafoe in New York at this stage feels like a tall order. I think Tiafoe gets through this, should still find a way to get through here, though it might get nervy late.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Botic Van De Zandschulp
Head-to-head: First meeting
Van De Zandschulp reaching a Slam quarter-final is a decent story, but Zverev is a completely different problem from anyone he's faced to get here. The slow hard courts at Flushing Meadows suit Zverev's heavy groundstrokes and big serve and he's been moving through this draw without dropping much along the way.
Hard to see this being competitive at all.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Karen Khachanov vs Alexander Blockx
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is the one to watch. Blockx is ranked higher and has clearly been the more consistent player lately, and Khachanov's results have been pretty mixed all season. Khachanov has the Slam pedigree, he reached the final here in 2022, but that version of him feels like a while ago now.
Blockx in five feels right to me. That said, this is where it gets tricky for Khachanov because a younger player with nothing to lose in a quarter-final is about the worst draw he could have gotten.
Prediction: Blockx in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © PI via ZUMA Press Wire