By Jake Davies
- Roger Federer [3] vs Juan Martin del Potro [24]
- Rafael Nadal [1] vs Andrey Rublev
- Karolina Pliskova [1] vs Coco Vandeweghe [20]
NEW YORK, USA – Eight years ago Juan Martin Del Potro halted Roger Federer’s dominant run at the US Open. Now they headline Day 10’s Three-to-See.
Roger Federer [3] vs Juan Martin del Potro [24] H2H: Federer 16-5
The match that many will be chatting about at the quarter-final stage is the match between No.3 seed Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro. It is a repeat of the 2009 US Open final, where Del Potro won his one and only major title, which was a rare feat and accomplishment for anyone outside of the elite group of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to do in the last ten years in particular.
Del Potro’s year has been disappointing by his standards. He had not really kicked on from that memorable and unbelievable Davis Cup final weekend last year, where he helped Argentina winning their first Davis Cup title ever. We all recognise that del Potro’s forehand can break into and annihilate the defences of any player and is seen as one of the biggest single shots in the men’s game. But can the Argentine protect that backhand against one of the most tactically astute players in Federer? Can del Potro find a way to run around his backhand to get his forehand into play without giving up too much of the court? If that happens then Federer will prey on the glaring weakness in the Argentine’s game.
Prediction: Federer in four sets
Rafael Nadal [1] vs Andrey Rublev H2H: First meeting
Rafael Nadal is one win away from potentially facing Federer in a first ever meeting at the US Open. It is remarkable to think they have never contested a single match in New York after both of their decorated careers. The Spaniard played his best match of the tournament in dominating Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight-sets in the fourth round and should have too much for the young but promising talent Andrey Rublev.
The key is that Nadal is playing in the heat of the day. The topspin he can inflict on the ball will be that much more impactful in those conditions and that will give him the confidence to impose that extra bounce in his shots, which he would find more difficult in the night sessions. Rublev may need a few games to get used to the Spaniard’s game, and I don’t think he will have the necessary time. He needs a quick start in this match-up.
Prediction: Nadal in three sets
Karolina Pliskova [1] vs CoCo Vandeweghe [20] H2H: Tied at 2-2
The current World No.1 Karolina Pliskova is fighting to keep hold of her No.1 ranking this week and is defending final points from last year, but has Garbiñe Muguruza breathing down her neck. If Pliskova loses her Quarter-Final match to CoCo Vandeweghe then she would give up the top spot with that loss.
Both Pliskova and Vandeweghe like to show their superiority with a heavy serve and with aggressive power tennis, so it will be interesting who wins the battle of the court positioning, and who will get the first strike in and make sure that the rally is in their control and not their opponent. The head-to-head is tied at 2-2, with a win apiece on a hard-court, but I feel that Vandeweghe will cause the upset with the help of the home crowd on Arthur Ashe.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in three sets
Main Image: Ella Ling/REX/Shutterstock
Play continues at the US Open at 12pm (5pm BST).
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