Andrey Rublev is yet another player embroiled in controversy during this year’s tournament, fined for an audible obscenity in his 2nd round clash before being fined for swearing at himself during his gruelling 3rd round win over Coleman Wong.
2025 ATP Tour
Grand Slam Tennis
US Open Tennis
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, New York City (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected 4th Round and Quarterfinal Matches- 1st- 2nd September
Round of 16- 1st September
Andrey Rublev (15) 0.68 vs Felix Auger-Aliassime (25) 1.15
Rublev was pushed to the limit in a high-quality clash with Wong, hitting 49 winners to 34 unforced errors while winning 81% of his first-serve points (thought his first-serve percentage sat around 50%). Rublev has endured a somewhat indifferent campaign, winning a 2nd Qatar title while finishing runner-up in Hamburg. He looked solid in the US Open precursors, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Toronto and Cincinnati. A perennial Grand Slam underachiever, Rublev will be desperate for the chance to finally progress beyond the quarterfinals of a slam (at the 11th time of asking). But first he will have to take down giant-killing Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime.
Felix Auger-Aliassime just produced one of his finest Grand Slam performances, coming from a set down to eliminate 3rd seed Alex Zverev in an enthralling 3rd round tie. The Canadian lost the first set but crucially levelled matters in a 2nd set tiebreak, saving a set-point in the process. He then started to dictate proceedings from the back of the court, hitting 50 winners to 35 unforced errors in a 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. He impressed on serve throughout, winning 78% of his first-serve points to register his first win against a top 5 player at a slam. Auger-Aliassime has enjoyed a real roller-coaster of a campaign, winning titles in Adelaide and Montpellier while fishing runner-up in Dubai. He has struggled in the elite events, failing to go beyond the 2nd round of the other slams while consistently not delivering at Masters level. But he reached the Cincy quarters and has carried that form into these championships, reaching the 4th round of a slam for the first time since last year’s French Open. A semifinalist here back in 2021, Auger-Aliassime will be looking to secure a 3rd career Grand Slam quarterfinal spot.
The Verdict: Auger-Aliassime to win in four at 4.2– The Russian has dominated this rivalry, leading the Canadian 7-1 in the head-to-head stakes (2-0 on outdoor hardcourts). Rublev has won their last five meetings, besting the Canadian twice this year (in Doha and Hamburg). I just feel that Auger-Aliassime has momentum after that Zverev victory. He absorbed the German’s power brilliantly and could expose Rublev’s notorious Grand Slam frailties.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) 8 vs Jiri Lehecka (20) 0.05
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz served up another treat on Arthur Ashe Stadium, subduing big-serving Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 to protect his blemish-free US Open run. Yet to drop a set this fortnight, the Spainard had to show patience in the first set, ultimately prevailing in the tiebreak. He made a crucial adjustment in the 2nd set, adopting a deeper court position to absorb Rinderknech’s power. It worked a treat and Alcaraz started to dominate, producing some of the most virtuosic shot-making you are likely to see (he ended the match with 36 winners to 11 unforced errors). The victory extended Alcaraz’s current winning streak to ten matches (he won the recent Cincinnati Masters). The 2022 US Open champ has now reached the quarterfinals here in four of his last five outings. He also created a unique bit of history for himself, reaching a 13th Grand Slam quarterfinal to become the youngest man in the Open Era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals.
Big-serving Czech Jiri Lehecka negotiated a 3rd set wobble to see off French throwback player Adrian Mannarino 7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, reaching his 2nd career Grand Slam quarterfinal (he reached the final eight at the 2023 Aussie Open). Lehecka’s aggressive serving and strong ball striking were simply too much for the nimble Mannarino to handle: Lehecka served 18 aces and hit 56 winners to 48 unforced errors. Lehecka started the year well, winning a 2nd career title in Brisbane before an encouraging 4th round run at the Aussie Open. He struggled for consistency from that point on but did manage to reach a maiden ATP 500 final at the Queen’s Club (he interestingly lost to Alcaraz in a tense three-setter). He also showed some encouraging signs during the US Open lead-in, reaching the 4th round in Toronto and Cincinnati. Still, Lehecka is going to need to elevate his game if he wishes to derail the Alcaraz express.
The Verdict: Alcaraz to win in four at 2.25– Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 2-1, winning this year’s exhilarating Queen’s final. Lehecka, however, has won their only previous hardcourt meeting, besting Alcaraz in this year’s Doha quarters. I think that Alcaraz may drop his first set here. He favoured his thigh from time to time and Lehecka is playing well enough to exploit that (and he obviously has the confidence after beating Alcaraz in Doha). However, Alcaraz will simply find a way, whether it’s by executing fantastic behind-the-back winners or grinding it out the old-fashioned way.
