By Tony Fairbairn
- Qinwen Zheng [7] v Donna Vekic [24]
- Andrey Rublev [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [9]
- Coco Gauff [3] v Emma Navarro [13]
NEW YORK, USA – Qinwen Zheng will take on Donna Vekic in an Olympic final rematch as a place in the US Open quarter-finals is on the line.
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Qinwen Zheng [7] v Donna Vekic [24] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Qinwen Zheng [7] v Donna Vekic [24] | H2H: Zheng leads 2-1 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Fourth on Arthur Ashe Stadium (02:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After struggling to deal with new expectations and pressure since her Australian Open final, Qinwen Zheng has finally found her confidence again. The world number seven’s run to Olympic gold has inspired confidence and belief once again after a difficult last few months. It has been a year full of learning for Zheng as she has struggled to back up her first Grand Slam final but now seems to be full of swagger and has new-found belief that she can beat any player in the world. Now Zheng will hope to continue her recent form as she knows that another confident week in New York could end in the Chinese number one winning her first Grand Slam title.
A familiar opponent awaits Zheng in the last 16 in the form of Olympic finalist Donna Vekic. The Croatian has had an incredible last couple of months after nearly quitting the sport completely in the clay court swing. After coming through mental health struggles, Vekic has been on a role having reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon before achieving her childhood dream and claiming Olympic silver in Paris. Vekic has gone from strength to strength since then as she continues to build momentum and is more confident in her game then she ever has been. The Croatian will now be hoping that confidence can translate into Grand Slam glory in New York.
Zheng will aim to use variety to force Vekic behind the baseline as she looks to mix up the tempo of the rallies in order to force errors from the Croatian. Meanwhile Vekic will look to serve aggressively, therefore neutralizing Zheng’s returning qualities in order to dictate the rallies. This should be a more competitive match than the Olympic final with hard courts suiting Vekic’s game more. This match should go all the way with small margins deciding who reaches the US Open quarter-finals.
Prediction: Vekic in three sets.
Andrey Rublev [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [9] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andrey Rublev [6] v Grigor Dimitrov [9] | H2H: Rublev leads 4-3 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| First on Arthur Ashe Stadium (17:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After surviving a five set thriller in the second round, Andrey Rublev was back to his dominant best in the third round, cruising past Jiri Lehecka in straight sets. The world number six’s inconsistency is frustrating from a neutral point of view as he is a world beater when he is on his game but when his game is off, he could lose to anyone in the world. Rublev will need to ensure that he is producing controlled performances in the second week if he wants to achieve his Grand Slam breakthrough in New York.
A former semi-finalist awaits in the last 16 in the form of Grigor Dimitrov as the Bulgarian has continued his incredible season in New York. The world number nine is yet to lose a set at the US Open and has overcome a lack of form in the build-up to the last Grand Slam of the season in order to reach the second week. Dimitrov has been one of the nearly men on the ATP tour as he has competed in arguably the toughest era of men’s tennis. However with an opportunistic draw ahead, Dimitrov will look to change that reputation as he bids for history in the second week.
Rublev will aim to test Dimitrov’s defensive skills as he will look to dictate the tempo of the rallies on the forehand side. Meanwhile Dimitrov will serve aggressively and efficiently as he aims to use depth and slice to force the shorter ball from Rublev in order to shorten the points. This could be another thrilling US Open clash in what has been a tournament full of dramatic moments. However Dimitrov’s form in New York so far makes him slight favourite to reach the last eight.
Prediction: Dimitrov in four sets.
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Coco Gauff [3] v Emma Navarro [13] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Coco Gauff [3] v Emma Navarro [13] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| US Open 2024 | New York, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $325,000 |
| Second on Arthur Ashe Stadium (19:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Defending champion Coco Gauff had her first real test of the tournament when she came from a set down to defeat Elina Svitolina in three sets and reach the second week. The win could prove to be a pivotal moment for Gauff in the context of her season given the lack of form she entered the US Open with but now seems to believe in her game in the pressure moments. Now with the competition set to heat up in the second week, Gauff will aim to continue to elevate her game as she has a massive target on her back as defending champion.
A tough last 16 match awaits though as Gauff will take on compatriot Emma Navarro, who defeated the world number three at Wimbledon a couple of months ago. Once again Navarro has continued to go under the radar and came back from 3-1 down in the decider to win five games in a row against Marta Kostyuk in order to reach the last 16. Now Navarro will aim to maintain her aggressive tennis as she looks to book a place in the US Open quarter-finals for the first time in her career.
Gauff will continue to be aggressive on serve as she will use the forehand to open up space on the court. Meanwhile Navarro will look to take the ball as early as possible in order to force Gauff into tough defensive positions. This will be another stern test for Gauff but the faster conditions are more suited to her game then they are to Navarro’s.
Prediction: Gauff in three sets.
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