US Open Day 8: Predictions for all the men’s matches

We are this close to the US Open quarterfinals. So far, this has been an excellent tournament and we still have a likely final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. But several players are playing well enough to spoil that.

We’ve also seen our share of early-20s players show that in the future they might be capable of challenging for a Grand Slam or two. Dominic Stricker, for instance, before the US Open? Few knew him. Now we do.

But who is going to make it into the quarters on the men’s side of the 2023 US Open? We already know half the field. Here are guesses at who makes up the other half.

US Open: Who is going to win on the men’s side on Day 8

13th-seed Alex De Minaur versus third-seed Daniil Medvedev

De Minaur is having the most consistent stretch of playing good tennis in his career, and he has looked fantastic over the last two rounds. Medvedev has won the US Open before, however, so he knows how to pace himself over two weeks. Medvedev’s octopus playing style is likely too much for the Aussie in this match.

Prediction: Medvedev in four sets

Jack Draper versus eight-seed Andrey Rublev

Who is Jack Draper exactly? Don Drper’s English cousin? Or is he a left-hander who is finally finding himself on the ATP tour? Either way. Rublev’s wicked forehand is likely to end Draper’s run at the US Open.

Prediction: Rublev in straight sets

12th-seed Alexander Zverev against sixth-seed Jannik Sinner

This has all the makeup of one of the best matches at the US Open this year. Zverev has been playing well for about three months, and Sinner is either boom or bust. He didn’t go bust in the early rounds of the tournament, though. Sinner’s variety of shotmaking is probably enough to get the victory.

Prediction: Sinner in four sets

Matteo Arnaldi versus top-seed Carlos Alcaraz

There are so many excellent players on the ATP tour right now between 20 and 22 years old. Both these players fit into that category. Alcaraz, of course, is one of the two best players in the world and is likely to regain his number-one ranking in October. Arnaldi played one of the best matches of the tournament so far against Arthur Fils. Still, Carlos Alcaraz looks destined for another tourney final against Novak Djokovic.

Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets