Grigor Dimitrov v Frances Tiafoe
This looks like a very close match on paper, but I am just going to side with Frances Tiafoe. The American has had an excellent tournament so far, overcoming some good players, including the likes of Ben Shelton and Alexei Popyrin.
His opponent Grigor Dimitrov, on the other hand, has had quite a few tough matches that have gone all the way to five sets. The 33-year-old is getting on a little bit now, and I just wonder if some of those matches have left their mark on him. He’s made a habit of getting to these rounds in the Grand Slams this season, but the Bulgarian has yet to advance beyond the quarterfinal stage.
When it comes to their head-to-head record, Dimitrov comes out on top 3-1. However, Tiafoe did get the better of him in 2019 at the Australian Open, which came on a hard surface. Moreover, Tiafoe has experience getting to the latter stages of Grand Slams. In 2022, he got to the semi-finals, so he knows what it takes.
Overall, this match could go all the way, but at 7/5, Tiafoe represents the value.
Selection: Frances Tiafoe To Beat Grigor Dimitrov (7/5)
Jack Draper v Alex de Minaur
Both players are coming into this match arguably in the form of their lives. Jack Draper has probably had the better prep, with him winning all his matches in straight sets, while de Minaur has had some longer contests.
Draper has never been to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam before, so it’s a totally new experience for him. The young Brit has shown considerable promise in his career to date. He, particularly with his strong baseline play and powerful serve. It will just be a question of whether he can cope with the pressure.
On the other hand, de Minaur has the experience of getting to the quarterfinals after getting to them at the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Moreover, he has all three encounters against Jack Draper, which will also help his mentality.
I can see both of these players winning at least a set, but I just think de Minaur will edge it. I’m going for the Australian to win 3-1.
Selection Alex de Minaur To Beat Jack Draper 3-1 (17/4)
Iga Swiatek v Jessica Pegula
This looks to be the match of the day in the women’s quarterfinal draw. Both players haven’t lost a single set, and it would be worthy of being a final.
Iga Swiatek is the odds-on favourite to win at 2/5, but I don’t think she should be that short. Away from the French Open, she seems to have come unstuck at the Grand Slams in recent years, and she didn’t advance past the third round at Flushing Meadows last year.
Jessica Pegula, on the other hand, has been a model of consistency in getting to this stage this year, and she deserves to go further. Moreover, she’ll have the home crowd cheering her on, which could make the difference.
Pegula has also beaten Swiatek in some of their recent meetings, including at the Montreal Open last year. At 11/4, I’m willing to take a chance on her to get the job done.
Selection: Jessica Pegula To Beat Iga Swiatek (11/4)
