By Tony Fairbairn
- Rafael Nadal [2] v Frances Tiafoe [22]
- Karolina Pliskova [22] v Victoria Azarenka [26]
- Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Marin Cilic [15]
NEW YORK, USA – Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz look to overcome second week obstacles as they aim to reach the US Open quarter-finals on day eight of the last Grand Slam of the year.
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Rafael Nadal [2] v Frances Tiafoe [22] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Rafael Nadal [2] v Frances Tiafoe [22] | H2H: Nadal leads 2-0 |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $278,000 |
| Second on Arthur Ashe Stadium, not before 1:30pm (6:30pm BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
After a slow start to the tournament, Rafael Nadal was a lot more comfortable on Saturday night as he sealed an 18th consecutive victory over Richard Gasquet. It’s easy to forget with all the injury doubts that Nadal is chasing more history in New York as he searches for a 23rd Grand Slam singles title in the second week. Nadal is yet to lose a match at Grand Slam level this season and will be confident that another title will be on its way, should he continue to raise his level as the tournament progresses.
Nadal’s opening test won’t be easy though as he takes on talented American Frances Tiafoe who has to work hard for his straight sets win over Diego Schwartzman. Tiafoe loves the big occasion and loves the US Open as this is his third consecutive year where he has reached the last 16 in New York. After constant progression over the last couple of years, Tiafoe is now looking for a massive upset on the biggest stage of them all.
This will be a tough match for Nadal given the crowd and the way Tiafoe plays on the big stages especially with the accurate serving. However the Spaniard is zoned in and although it will be a slow start from the Spaniard the best of five set format works in his favour as he should be able to problem solve his way to victory.
Prediction: Nadal in four sets.
Karolina Pliskova [22] v Victoria Azarenka [26] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Karolina Pliskova [22] v Victoria Azarenka [26] | H2H: Tied at 4-4. |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $278,000 |
| Third on Louis Armstrong Stadium, not before 2:30pm (7:30pm BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Karolina Pliskova may not have had the best season this year but the former US Open finalist is now starting to pick up her form at the right time. After reaching the semi-finals in Toronto, Pliskova has backed that up with two tight wins over Magda Linette and Belinda Bencic in New York and has proved that her mental game is improving. Now Pliskova will look to transfer momentum into a big Grand Slam breakthrough in week two.
A monumental task awaits Pliskova in the next round as former Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka awaits. Just like Pliskova, Azarenka has not had the best season but the 26th seed has only dropped eight games in her last two rounds and seems to have figured out how to play her best tennis. Now Azarenka will look to recapture the form that saw her reach the final two years ago as she looks for a third Grand Slam title.
This is a match between two heavyweights going toe-to-toe with both players displaying effortless power. The return of serve is going to be the key battle here with both players knowing that their serve can be untouchable when it on form. This should be a great match but Pliskova’s fighting resolve may see her edge through here.
Prediction: Pliskova in three sets.
Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Marin Cilic [15] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [3] v Marin Cilic [15] | H2H: Alcaraz leads 2-1 |
| US Open 2022 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $278,000 |
| Second night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, not before 8:30pm (1:30am Tuesday, BST) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
The most impressive performance of the tournament so far from Carlos Alcaraz as he comfortably defeated Jenson Brooksby to reach the second week in New York for a second consecutive year. Alcaraz has established himself as a serious contender for the title and now the Spaniard is looking to back his very good season with a deep run at a Grand Slam.
Next for Alcaraz is Marin Cilic who seems to be playing some of the best tennis of his career and having won this title before, he will believe he can do it again. The Croatian seems happy and has the power to match that as he is playing with freedom and without pressure. Now Cilic will look to use that to his advantage and cause another shock in New York.
This will put Alcaraz’s mental resolve and talent to the test with the Spaniard coming up against one of the more dangerous players on the tour. Cilic has the ability to hit anyone off the court but can he handle the pressure moments better? This is something that is doubtful especially against a mental warrior like Alcaraz and that’s why the Spaniard has the edge heading into this match.
Prediction: Alcaraz in four sets.
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