US Open Day 8 Men’s Predictions Including Novak Djokovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff

Expect plenty of entertaining tennis on day eight at the US Open with four fourth-round matches on the slate in New York and a host of star names in action. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, as well as the action in the women’s draw, but who will secure their spot in the quarterfinals in New York?

US Open Day 8 Predictions

Arthur Rinderknech vs Carlos Alcaraz

Zain: After dropping the first set, Arthur Rinderknech didn’t take much time to dispatch the fatigued Benjamin Bonzi in the last round, and now, as a reward, he gets a shot at Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard has looked his mercurial best so far this tournament, despite an injury scare, dropping no sets and only getting broken once so far. Rinderknech and Alcaraz always have tricky matches against each other, that Alcaraz eventually figures out how to win. You can expect another one here, as Rinderknech’s big serve and plus-one combo might get him a set, but nothing more.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4

Tope: Alcaraz holds a 3-0 advantage in their head-to-head meetings, including a win on outdoor hard courts. He beat Rinderknech in the second round of this major two years ago as a teenager and also defeated him at Wimbledon. While the Frenchman’s serve remains a potent weapon, Alcaraz is in phenomenal form and will repel anything thrown at him to find a win.

Prediction: Alcaraz in 4

Damian: Alcaraz is pushing past his opponents almost as if his name was Sinner, we haven’t seen any of his usual dips in level so far. The draw is also lining up nicely, especially after Shelton’s retirement. Rinderknech pushed him on grass two years ago, but the Spaniard was fresh off an Ibiza vacation back then. This will be easier.

Adrian Mannarino vs Jiri Lehecka

Zain: Their first meeting on the ATP Tour, you can argue that both of them have done incredibly well to reach their first-ever US Open second week. While Jiri Lehecka got luck from his draw breaking down, Adrian Mannarino had a case of his opponent getting injured mid-match, as Ben Shelton had to retire in their third-round encounter. So, there is a sense that both players are playing with house money, and although Lehecka is the more explosive player of the two, Mannarino’s flat-hitting game always causes problems, especially against a newer opponent. For that reason, I think this can get dragged out more than expected, a match decided by moments, which I think will fall the Czech’s way.

Prediction: Lehecka in 4

Tope: Mannarino’s lefty slice and counterpunching style will aim to throw Lehecka off his game, but the Czech player’s potent serving and powerful shot-making provide him with the advantage in controlling the rallies. Lehecka is well armed to advance to the quarterfinals.

Prediction: Lehecka in 5

Damian: Mannarino played like he was half-retired for the first five months of the season and what he’s done since deserves respect. It’s not impossible for him to keep going here. Lehecka should have the higher upside by now, but he’s also messed it up in Slams a few times and struggles with proper application of his game. A tricky opponent might confuse him.

Prediction: Mannarino in 5

Tomas Machac vs Taylor Fritz

Zain: Tomas Machac is one of the few players so far to not drop a set this tournament, and the remarkable thing is that most of the sets he has played have been one-sided, getting stretched to a tiebreak just once. Taylor Fritz, on the other hand, has dropped a set each in his last two matches, losing the tiebreak in both scenarios, but has overall looked really solid. After Tiafoe’s loss and Shelton’s injury, Fritz is the American men’s last realistic hope to pull something historic off here. Both of these players play quite similarly, counterpunching and redirecting pace. Machac is the better mover, but Fritz is way more consistent. In a matchup so similar, I’m backing the better player to be better enough to win this.

Prediction: Fritz in 4

Tope: If there is going to be another upset in New York, this looks like it. Tomas Machac is one of the most dangerous players on tour when fit, and he has already shown that here with three emphatic straight-set wins, dropping his serve just twice! Taylor Fritz is America’s strongest hope of winning the US Open, and rightly so. However, if he can concede sets to Lloyd Harris and Jerome Kym, he will concede more than one to Machac, and anything goes from there.

Prediction: Machac in 5

Damian: Machac had been frequently retiring and withdrawing from his matches going into the US Open, but now he’s suddenly reached the second week without dropping a set (for back-to-back years as well). He’s got the talent to pull off the upset, already had match points against Fritz at the United Cup. Head says no, but the heart is calling for it.

Novak Djokovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff

Zain: When was the last time we got a fourth-round matchup at a Slam between two players over the age of 35? Although Novak Djokovic being here was more or less expected, Jan-Lennard Struff has been the giant killer so far this tournament, first taking out Holger Rune in a five-set epic and then making light work of home favorite Frances Tiafoe. He has been playing really solid, serving well and attacking with that flat backhand, but now he faces arguably the greatest returner of all time, and the greatest backhand of all time. This change in level of competition will be too much, as Djokovic’s quest for number 25 goes on.

Prediction: Djokovic in 3

Tope: When Struff is in the mood, he struts his stuff. The German qualifier has been unbelievable, taking out two seeds in impressive fashion, but eliminating the seventh seed, Novak Djokovic, will be a tall order. He’s played the Serb seven times and not won a single encounter. He’ll lose the eighth as well.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4

Damian: What a run from Struff, stopping Tiafoe from another brilliant New York performance. Unfortunately, this might not be that exciting. Struff had tried to compete against Djokovic a few times when they were both much younger and even when he was in form, he was trying to blast through the Serb with a bit too much linear pace, not causing him any trouble.

Prediction: Djokovic in 4