US Open 2023 men’s quarterfinals: Predictions for all matches

The US Open is nearing peak capacity. We are just a few days from crowning the winner of the final major of the year. Will we have the Carlos Alcaraz versus Novak Djokovic final that the world wants to see? That remains to be seen.

We have had a bunch of Americans break through to the quarterfinals. And sure, this is an American Grand Slam and the New York crowd is raucously behind the native sons, but that hasn’t affected other years, right? And we might have seen the blooming of the next American great (see below: Ben Shelton).

So what should you expect from the men’s quarterfinals? I have some guesses. Let’s just hope they are better than my round four ones.

US Open: Picking every quarterfinal on the men’s side

10th-seed Frances Tiafoe versus Ben Shelton

The two Americans have never played. Tiafoe is a fantastic showman with a wicked forehand. He can be inconsistent, however. Shelton might become the top American player within two years. He’s had a very up-and-down year but currently is on the up. I think he pulls off the upset at the US Open.

Prediction: Shelton in four sets

Ninth-seed Taylor Fritz against second-seed Novak Djokovic

Fritz and Djokovic might be the new Djokovic and Monfils. The two have met seven times and Fritaz hasn’t won a match. In fact, Fritz has only won two sets and they came in the same match, a five-set loss to Djokovic in the 2021 Australian Open. The most recent time they met Djokovic put a beat down on the American at the Cincinnati Open 6-0 6-4. Expect more of the same at the US Open as well.

Prediction: Djokovic in straight sets

Top-seed Carlos Alcaraz versus 12th-seed Alexander Zverev

Zverev has a bombastic forehand and moves well. But no one moves as well as Alcaraz. If the Spaniard is on, he won’t be beaten by anyone.

Prediction: Alcaraz in four sets

Third-seed Daniil Medvedev against 8th-seed Andrey Rublev

These two are great friends off the court, but Medvedev is the more accomplished on it. He doesn’t shrink late in Grand Slam tournaments and Rublev does. I think this is an easy win for Medvedev.

Prediction: Medvedev in straight sets