Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev vs Andrey Rublev in selected Quarterfinals of the US Open Men’s Championships on the 6th of September2023.
2023 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
US Open Men’s Championships
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York, USA (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Quarterfinals – 6th September
Frances Tiafoe 38/100 | Ben Shelton 2/1
This promises to be a blockbuster all-American clash. A semi-finalist here last year, Frances Tiafoe has just quietly gone about his business, dropping just one set in the tournament to date. The big-serving American was solid against Rinky Hijikata, shooting down 15 aces and winning 83% of his first-serve points.
He may be slightly concerned by how easily his opponent was able to break him in the latter part of the 3rd set. But the American has been to this stage of a Slam before and he should feel well prepared. He has been slightly disappointing in the Slams this season, going out in the 3rd round of all three thus far. But the Indian Wells semi-finalist is just made for these surfaces.
He plays a high-octane brand of tennis that gets the crowd up off their seats. He will look to dominate with his forehand and just keep the scoreboard ticking with that serve.
Speaking of big serves, American youngster Ben Shelton has been wowing the New York crowds with his massive deliveries. Shelton is fast developing a reputation for being a bit of a Grand Slam specialist. He shocked the world by reaching the Aussie Open quarters earlier this season (despite the fact that this is basically his first full year on tour).
He enjoyed middling results since but this insane New York atmosphere has brought out the best in him. The serving machine has been breaking records with that powerful delivery and he managed 15 aces last time out against Paul. But he was probably slightly concerned with a double-fault count of nine.
I think he almost gets too carried away with the intensity of the occasion and little errors creep in. I think Shelton’s success at Grand Slam level actually makes a lot of sense. You can enjoy peaks and troughs during a five-set affair- just look at his match against Paul. He abandoned his winning strategy in the 3rd set and decided to approach the net more often.
Pual took advantage of this and passed him on several occasions. Shelton will need to rein in some of his more ill-disciplined instincts as he goes up against a composed Tiafoe.
Verdict: Tiafoe to win in four
This will be the first career meeting between these two. This is not going to be one for the purists, with both players looking to rain down aces and play front-foot tennis. I am slightly worried by Shelton’s increased double-fault count as the tournament has gone on.
That could prove crucial in crunch moments in this match. Tiafoe simply has more variety and I expect him to outclass his opponent. Still, Shelton may still be able to sneak a set due to that all-conquering serve.
Daniil Medvedev 38/100 | Andrey Rublev 2/1
Daniil Medvedev has played the role of pantomime villain to great effect this fortnight, regularly clashing with the rambunctious US crowd. I actually think the Americans vaguely admire his adversarial attitude. It’s kind of…. well, American.
In any event, the 2021 champion has been a titan this year (though his efforts have been somewhat overshadowed by the whole Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry). Still, he is fresh off his maiden Wimbledon semi-final run and he will be the heavy favourite going into this all-Russian clash.
He just outlasted ‘Speed Demon’ Alex De Minaur and he looked stronger as the match progressed. His durability makes him the ideal candidate for success on these surfaces and he will highly confident of progressing to his 7th Grand Slam semi-final.
Can Andrey Rublev finally break his Grand Slam hoodoo? Rublev- who won a Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo earlier this year- has been a perennial disappointment at Grand Slam level. This will be his 9th Grand Slam quarterfinal and his 4th in his last five Slams.
He is still yet to contest a Grand Slam semi-final. But does he have the mental fortitude to take his game to the next level? Rublev is an extremely solid all-round player. But does he have that one weapon that separates him from the rest?
In any event, he is yet to play a seeded player in this year’s tournament. But he was exceptional against Brit sensation Jack Draper, hitting an incredible 45 winners to 25 unforced errors in a high-quality game of tennis. Could this be his time to prove the naysayers wrong?
Verdict: Medvedev to win in four
Medvedev holds a pretty commanding 5-2 head-to-head superiority over Rublev. In fact, Medvedev has defeated Rublev in two Grand Slam quarterfinals to date (not dropping a set in the process).
This included a meeting here in 2020. But Rublev’s performance against Draper was arguably the best I have seen him play at a Slam. So, I don’t think the number 3 seed will have it all his own way. I just think his flatter, more powerful groundstrokes will wear Rublev down.
