The last-16 matches in the men’s and women’s draw at the US Open begin on Sunday and there are a number of home favourites eager to book a quarter-final spot at Flushing Meadows.
With Novak Djokovic following Carlos Alcaraz out of the tournament the men’s draw has really opened up and US star Taylor Fritz, housed in the bottom half with the Serbian, will be aiming to take advantage when he faces Casper Ruud.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Coco Gauff will be in action when she takes on fellow American Emma Navarro in what promises to be a fascinating contest between the pair.
US Open Tennis Tips
- Taylor Fritz to beat Casper Ruud @ 1/2
- Emma Navarro to beat Coco Gauff @ 17/10 (Bet Boost)
- Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka – Under 20.5 games @ 4/5
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Taylor Fritz to beat Casper Ruud @ 1/2
Djokovic’s exit has opened up the bottom half of the men’s draw and one player who will be keen to take advantage is Taylor Fritz, who goes up against eighth seed Casper Ruud on Sunday.
The 26-year-old American has made serene progress to the fourth round this year, recording straight-sets victories over Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Matteo Berrettini and Francisco Comesana.
It has been a different story for Norwegian Ruud, who breezed past Buyunchaokete first up before requiring four sets to dispatch Gael Monfils and then coming from 2-0 down in sets to beat Shang Juncheng 3-2.
Ruud has come out on top in both meetings against Fritz, but the first of those triumphs came in 2022 and the most recent was on the clay at this year’s French Open, a surface the American doesn’t favour.
Fritz’s big serve makes him a huge threat when it comes to hard-court action and it’s no surprise that five of his eight ATP Tour titles have come on this surface, including the Delray Beach Open in April this year.
The US ace will be the fresher of the two heading into the fourth-round contest and he should be able to book his place in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row.
Emma Navarro to beat Coco Gauff @ 17/10 (Bet Boost)
There have been some big exits in the men’s draw and there could be a shock in the women’s side on Sunday when defending champion Coco Gauff meets fellow American Emma Navarro.
Gauff was put through her paces against Elina Svitolina last time out, coming back from a set down, and there looks to be an opportunity for Navarro to knock out the holder.
These two have met twice previously, both times this year, with Gauff winning in Auckland in straight sets before Navarro gained revenge at Wimbledon in the last 16.
Navarro, seeded 13th, recorded back-to-back 6-1 6-1 victories in her first two US Open matches before requiring three sets to see off 19th seed Marta Kostyuk.
There is lots to like about the American’s performances in New York and she can book her spot in the Flushing Meadows quarter-finals for the first time.
Elise Mertens vs Aryna Sabalenka – Under 20.5 games @ 4/5
Aryna Sabalenka has enjoyed strong runs in the last three US Opens, reaching the semi-finals in 2021 and 2022 before losing in last year’s final.
The 26-year-old Belarusian was dominant in her first two matches in this year’s editions, dropping a combined 10 games, with both of those victories seeing under 20.5 games played.
It was harder in the third round, as the two-time Australian Open winner lost the first set against Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, but Sabalenka regrouped to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-2.
The second seed has the power to blow away any player and that should be evident in her clash against Elise Mertens, who has been involved in two three-set matches to reach this stage and may run out of steam for this one.
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Odds correct at time of writing
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