Wednesday will see two former champions and two former finalists battle it out for a place in this year’s US Open semi-finals.
In the men’s draw, Marin Cilic will take on Kei Nishikori is what will be a repeat of the 2014 US Open final, which Cilic won in three sets. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic will continue his bid for a second consecutive major title. Taking on Australian underdog John Millman, who stunned Roger Federer on Monday.
As for the women, Naomi Osaka is seeking a place in her first ever grand slam semi-final when she faces Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko. A win would make her the first Japanese woman to reach the last four of a major since Kimiko Date at the 1996 Wimbledon Championships. In the other match, 2017 runner-up Madison Keys faces Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.
Marin Cilic vs. Kei Nishikori
This is a rematch from the 2014 US Open final, which of course Cilic won in straight sets for his only Major title. Marin has since appeared in two further finals at Grand Slam events, while Kei is yet to repeat that feat. Nishikori had actually dominated this rivalry up to that 2014 final, but Cilic has now won three of their last four meetings. Kei though won their only 2018 matchup, in April on the clay of Monte Carlo. Both men had complicated third round matches on Saturday: Nishikori against Diego Schwartzman, and Cilic against Alex de Minaur, in a thrilling match that went until 2:22am. Marin recovered impressively though to take out David Goffin in straight sets on Monday, while Kei easily dispatched of Philipp Kohlschreiber. Both men should be fresh for this quarterfinal. Cilic has been the more prominent player on tour over the past two seasons, as Kei hasn’t been to a Major semifinal since the 2016 US Open. But Nishikori appears to be fully healthy for the first time in a long time, and has played a bit sharper than Cilic in this tournament. In what will be a baseline battle, Kei’s movement may prove the difference, especially on the slower-playing courts this year in New York. However, I wouldn’t count out Marin, who’s stepped up well in at the Majors many times, and was a finalist at the last Grand Slam event played on a hart court. While I’m completely unsure who will win, I’m confident we’re in for a great match.
Novak Djokovic vs. John Millman
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Well, this is not the match the tennis world was anticipating. John Millman’s upset of Roger Federer in the heat and humidity on Monday night prevented the Federer/Djokovic quarterfinal from becoming a reality. But full credit to Millman, who played an excellent match against the all-time great on tennis’ biggest court. And the 29-year-old Australian is fully worth our attention and admiration. As Darren Cahill highlighted on ESPN in the US, Millman was a pro for seven years before finally getting his first tour-level victory. Cahill also spoke of how dedicated Millman has been in his training and on the practice court, so this is far from an overnight success story. And how can you not like a guy who is too humble to even celebrate the biggest win of his life, out of respect to his opponent? Does Millman have a shot against Djokovic? Coming off such a physically and emotionally draining match, it’s highly unlikely. Their only previous match was at Queen’s Club earlier this year, and Djokovic dropped just three games. Millman will surely give his all, and provide us with some entertaining rallies. But Djokovic should prevail comfortably here, especially playing at night, and with cooler temperatures on Wednesday. Want further evidence Novak is the favorite? This is the 11th straight time Djokovic has made the quarterfinals in New York, and he’s 10-0 at this stage.
Madison Keys vs. Carla Suarez Navarro
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Keys is through to her third Major quarterfinal this year, and her fourth out of the last five Grand Slam events. She was dominant against Dominika Cibulkova in her last round. Suarez Navarro is coming off her defeat of Maria Sharapova on Monday night, and is into her seventh Major quarterfinal. Unfortunately, Carla is 0-6 at this stage. She’s also 0-3 against Keys, though all three of their matches have gone three sets, so none have been straightforward for Madison. Suarez Navarro will need to use all of her variety and guile to counter Keys’ power. But with the night crowd in New York on her side, Madison is the favorite to return to the semifinals for the second straight year.
Naomi Osaka vs. Lesia Tsurenko
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The only other time these two faced off was in a 25K tournament in Mexico, back in 2014. Osaka won in straight sets, but needless to say the US Open quarterfinals are a bit of a different situation. That’s especially true when it’s the first Major quarterfinal for both players. It’s shocking to see Tsurenko still alive in this tournament considering how much she was suffering in the heat for the first half of her fourth round match. Lesia was down a set and a break to Marketa Vondrousova on an extremely hot Monday afternoon, feeling dizzy and appearing as if she might retire. As she described in her post-match interview, she saw the shade would soon creep across the court, and told herself to just try to survive another few minutes, and she would feel better. Sure enough, she not only completed the match, she won it. It’s been a breakout season for the 29-year-old Ukranian, who also made the fourth round of Roland Garros and the quarters in Cincinnati. Tsurenko defeated Muguruza in Cincy, and Wozniacki earlier in this tournament. But she won’t be the favorite against Osaka, who has a much bigger game, and impressively ousted the in-form Aryna Sabalenka in an exciting fourth round match. We’ve seen Osaka be overwhelmed by big moments in the past, but the 20-year-old has matured into a more composed competitor this season. This feels like Osaka’s moment to take her career to the next level.
Order of play
Arthur Ashe Stadium – 17:00 BST start
Women’s Singles
N. Osaka (JPN) [20] vs. L. Tsurenko (UKR)
Men’s Singles
M. Cilic (CRO) [7] vs. K. Nishikori (JPN) [21]
Not before 0:00 BST
Women’s Singles
C. Suárez Navarro (ESP) [30] vs. M. Keys (USA) [14]
Men’s Singles
N. Djokovic (SRB) [6] vs. J. Millman (AUS)
