The Quarter Final's of the men's US Open is today and here are my predictions.
Match 1 - Novak Djokovic vs Janko Tipsarevic
Novak Djokovic
Ranking - 1
YTD record - 57-2
Best US Open - Final, 2007, 2010
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Niland - 6-0, 5-1 ret
Round 2 vs Berlocq - 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
Round 3 vs Davydenko - 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Dolgopolov - 7-6(14), 6-4, 6-2
Janko Tipsarevic
Ranking - 20
YTD record - 35-18
Best US Open - Quarter Finals, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Gensse - 6-2, 7-5, 6-0
Round 2 vs Petzschner - 6-0, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Round 3 vs Berdych - 6-4, 5-0 ret
Round 4 vs Ferrero - 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-2
Head to Head
Novak Djokovic leads 2-0
Djokovic won both their matches, one in 2009 and another in 2008.
Predictions match 1
The world number 1 has played brilliantly this year as well as at this tournament. He is yet to drop a set and won a hard match against seeded Dolgopolov as well as an easier match against unseeded Davydenko. Tipsarevic has also played well and has overcome Ferrero in the previous round in 4 sets as well as taking advantage of Berdych's retirement.
Conclusion - I can't see Tipsarevic matching Djokovic in rallies or taking a set off him, it should be a straight sets victory for Djokovic.
Match 2 - Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Roger Federer
Ranking - 3
YTD record - 42-11
Best US Open - Winner, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Giraldo - 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
Round 2 vs Sela - 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Round 3 vs Cilic - 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Monaco - 6-1, 6-2, 6-0
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Ranking - 11
YTD record - 33-16
Best US Open - 4th round, 2009, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Lu - 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Round 2 vs Bubka - 6-3, 7-5, 6-2
Round 3 vs Verdasco - 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
Round 4 vs Fish - 6-4, 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Head to Head
Federer leads 4-3
Tsonga, however, has won the last 2 matches, once at Wimbledon, from 2 sets to love down and once at
Predictions match 2
Federer was in great form in his previous match, dropping just 3 games and has dropped just 1 set all tournament against the only seeded player he has played with. Federer will probably still be feeling the shock of his 5 set loss to Tsonga. Tsonga has played well this tournament, beating in form Fish last round in 5 sets.
Conclusion - If Federer wins the first set I think he will go on to win the next set and go a break up in the 3rd. Then he will lose the 3rd set from a break up and should recover to win in 4 or 5 sets. If Federer loses the 1st set I think he will win the next 3 and win in 4. Either way I think Federer should win unless Tsonga can wear Federer down to win in 5.
Match 3 - John Isner vs Andy Murray
Andy Murray
Ranking - 4
YTD record - 34-10
Best US Open - Final, 2008
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Devvarman - 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3
Round 2 vs Haase - 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0, 6-4
Round 3 vs Lopez - 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
Round 4 vs Young - 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
John Isner
Ranking - 22
YTD record - 28-18
Best US Open - Quarter Finals, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Baghdatis - 7-6(2), 7-6(11), 2-6, 6-4
Round 2 vs Ginepri - 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
Round 3 vs Bogomolov - 7-6(9), 6-4, 6-4
Round 4 vs Simon 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4)
Head to Head
Murray leads 1-0
Murray won the only match they have played at the Australian Open in 2010, where Murray won in straight sets.
Predictions match 3
The 28th has had some tough matches and has beaten the strong 12th seed, Simon in 4 sets, dropping just 2 sets in the tournament so far and winning all 6 of the tie breakers he has played. The 4th seed has had a quite easy run through to this stage other than a 5 set match against Haase. The big serving american will definitely try to use his serve as an advantage.
Conclusion - I think that Isner can get the first set in a tie breaker but then Murray will come back and take the other 3.
Match 4 - Rafael Nadal vs Andy Roddick
Rafael Nadal
Ranking - 2
YTD record - 53-10
Best US Open - Winner, 2011
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Golubev - 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-5
Round 2 vs Mahit - 6-2, 6-2 ret
Round 3 vs Nalbandian - 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5
Round 4 vs Muller - 7-6(1), 6-1, 6-2
Andy Roddick
Ranking - 21
YTD record - 24-11
Best US Open - Winner, 2003
Previous matches
Round 1 vs Russell - 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
Round 2 vs Sock - 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
Round 3 vs Benneteau - 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(5)
Round 4 vs Ferrer 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Head to Head
Nadal leads 6-3
Nadal won their last match at the ATP World Tour Finals in 3 sets last year.
Predictions match 4
Roddick is not the same player that he was 8 years ago when he won the US Open and has not had a very good year, losing his american number 1 ranking. On the other hand Roddick has played quite well at this year's US Open, beating some competition, including the strong Ferrer. Nadal has been in great form here and is the only player yet to drop a set here, however, this will be his first match vs a seed.
Conclusion - Nadal is favourite and I think he will get another straight sets win but if Roddick can turn back the clock and play at his best from the year he won the US Open then he could win a set.
Today and tomorrow we will find out who wins these matches
