US Open 2022: Quarter-finals winners picks and prediction

At the outset, US open lacked color as Novak Djokovic was not allowed to play on account of his vaccine stance. Federer opted out, Zverev is still recovering and Nadal was playing his first tournament after injury.

The first week saw the ouster of Tsitsipas in the first round to a qualifier. Thiem's comeback was a disaster. No. 1 ranked Medvedev was outgunned by Charismatic and enigmatic genius Kyrgios.

However, under all these upheavals, a shining line is emerging that there will be someone who will win his first grand slam. Probability is with Kyrgios or Alcaraz, who will become youngest no.1 after Hewitt in 2001?

Quarterfinal 1

C Ruud (5th seed) vs M Berrettini (13th seed)

C Ruud reached the finals of the French Open and proved that he will always play the 2nd week of the Grand Slam. He has played a tough five-setter against T Paul. 

Berrettini on the other hand is coming after Injury and has displayed glimpses of the past.

Berrettini has the tremendous serve and sledgehammer forehand but a weaker backhand. C Ruud has decent serve but his forehand will cause damage to the backhand of Berrettini and he will slug it out. 

Head to head: Ruud leads 3-2. The last one was at the Swiss open in 2022.

Verdict 

C Ruud to win in 4 sets.  

Quarterfinal 2

N Kyrgios (23rd) seed vs K Khachanov (27th seed)

I love to watch Kyrgios, his antics are super entertaining.

His talent has never been in doubt but his temperament is. He served underhand through his legs to Medvedev. Volleyed coming on to the opponent's court. He can fight with spectators, his own team, and obviously, the umpire. He has brilliant serves and power in his ground strokes and if he has won against Medvedev, this shows he has learned to control his nerves. Only Djokovic could have defeated him in the Wimbledon final.

Khachanov on the other hand is a quieter player but lacks big winners. He has a good serve, good forehand, and great backhand but he lacks the fitness to hit great shots against the run of play.

Verdict

Kyrgios to win in 4 sets.

Quarterfinal 3

A Rublev  (9th seed) vs Tiafoe (22nd seed)

Tiafoe has created a ripple by crushing Nadal in pre-quarters. He has been playing the tennis of his life as he defeated  Schwartzman in straight sets.

On the other hand, Rublev is a counter puncher, you have to come out with great winners to win over.

Tiafoe will run out of gas but the rallies will be entertaining.

Verdict 

Rublev to win in 4 sets.

Quarterfinal 4

Carlos Alcaraz (3rd seed) vs J Sinner (11th seed)

Carlos Alcaraz has been a sensation. The no of drops he hits is 2nd to none. He has a complete game but like Kyrgios he goes for exhibition shots rather than percentage play. If he wins US open he will be the youngest no 1 player at the age of 19.

His opponent is Janik Sinner. Hard-hitting Italian. However, he won in 5 sets against Ivashka and rank outsider D Altmaier. This shows that he is prone to unforced errors as he hits flat shots.

The match will a grueling one and powerful groundstrokes will be a treat to watch.

Verdict 

Alcaraz to win in 4 sets.

Whatever may be results but it is ensured that some new player other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, or Medvedev will win the grand slam and usher in a new era of Tennis.