Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov seek to advance to the semi-finals of the US Open on Tuesday, each striving for a maiden Grand Slam title. Standing in their way are American hopefuls Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, who aim to end their country’s 21-year drought without a male Grand Slam champion.
In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s number two player and runner-up in last year’s US Open, faces Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Meanwhile, Emma Navarro takes on Paula Badosa in a compelling quarter-final matchup featuring two players with strong New York connections.
Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Alexander Zverev (GER)
Head-to-head: Zverev leads 5-4
Alexander Zverev enters this quarter-final with a slight edge over Taylor Fritz, having won five of their nine previous encounters. The 27-year-old German, who was runner-up at the US Open in 2020 after surrendering a two-set lead to Dominic Thiem, seeks redemption in New York. Earlier this year, Zverev also fell short in the French Open final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in another grueling five-set match. With Novak Djokovic’s unexpected exit in the third round, Zverev now stands as the highest-ranked player remaining in his half of the draw, aiming to reach his third semi-final at Flushing Meadows.
Quality quarterfinals await 🍿 pic.twitter.com/iBYsQ815KJ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2024
“I’m doing everything I can to win a Slam; everything else is out of my power,” Zverev stated, expressing his determination to secure a major title. “I’m trying my best, and hopefully, it will be enough at some stage in my career.”
On the other side, Taylor Fritz has been in excellent form, making his third quarter-final appearance at a Grand Slam this year. In a dramatic encounter at Wimbledon in July, Fritz defeated Zverev after coming back from two sets down, with the German battling a knee injury that significantly hampered his movement. As Fritz seeks to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final, the American crowd will be firmly behind him, hoping he can deliver on home soil.
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs. Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Head-to-head: Dimitrov leads 3-1
At 33 years old, Grigor Dimitrov is the oldest player remaining in the men’s draw. The Bulgarian is no stranger to success at the US Open, having reached the semi-finals in 2019 after a memorable victory over Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. Despite his reputation as one of the best players never to have won a Grand Slam, Dimitrov remains determined to change that narrative. His quest for a first major title continues with this quarter-final match against Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe, known for his dynamic style and entertaining performances, is making his third consecutive appearance in the US Open quarter-finals. The 25-year-old American reached the semi-finals last year, only to fall in five sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Tiafoe’s blend of power and flair has made him a fan favorite, and he will look to leverage the energy of the New York crowd as he aims to advance further in the tournament.
Paula Badosa (ESP) vs. Emma Navarro (USA)
Head-to-head: Badosa leads 1-0
Paula Badosa, competing in her first US Open quarter-final, has already exceeded expectations after nearly retiring just months ago due to a severe back injury. The Spanish star, who was born in New York, has experienced a remarkable turnaround in her fortunes, reaching the last eight for the first time in her career. Badosa’s resurgence has been one of the feel-good stories of the tournament, and she now carries the hopes of Spanish tennis on her shoulders, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach this stage since Carla Suarez Navarro in 2018.
And then there were eight. pic.twitter.com/XpiofXhZ5o
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2024
Emma Navarro, the American born in New York, caused one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating defending champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round. Navarro’s run to her first US Open quarter-final marks a significant breakthrough, particularly after exiting in the first round in her previous two appearances at the tournament. As she prepares to face Badosa, Navarro will look to continue her impressive form in front of a supportive home crowd.
Zheng Qinwen (CHN) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 2-0
Aryna Sabalenka, the second-ranked player in the world, faces a familiar opponent in Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. The two last met in the Australian Open final, where Sabalenka triumphed. Sabalenka is in her fourth consecutive US Open quarter-final and is focused on going one step further than her runner-up finish last year. Her powerful game has seen her drop serve only four times throughout the tournament, a testament to her dominance on court.
Zheng, who made history by becoming only the second Chinese woman to reach two US Open quarter-finals, will be eager to avenge her previous defeats to Sabalenka. The 20-year-old has impressed with her serving, leading the tournament with 49 aces across four rounds. Her ability to rise to the occasion was evident in her third-round match, where she defeated Donna Vekic in the latest-ever finish for a women’s match at the US Open, concluding at 2:15 a.m.
