Carlos Alcaraz vs Frances Tiafoe Prediction & Betting Tips - US Open

Prediction published on 08/09/2022, 08:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 08/09/2022 at 09:50 in ATP US Open Prediction

Third seeded Carlos Alcaraz can move to the top of the live rankings with a win over Frances Tiafoe in the US Open quarter final. If that happens, the only way he cannot be in the top spot at the end of this US Open is if Casper Rudd win this title. Alcarez is second in the live rankings at present and this his first Grand Slam semi-final. The Spaniard has won two titles this year. One was on clay but the other on a hard court when winning the Miami Masters. This tournament has seen him win his first three matches in straight sets. It's been a lot more difficult since then though with five sets needed to beat Marin Cilic and then in the quarter finals, against Jannik Sinner after trailing by two sets to one.

Frances Tiafoe is also in her first Grand Slam semi-final. His previous best before this great run in New York was when the American reached the last eight of the 2019 Australian Open. Tiafoe began this tournament ranked 26th in the world but is up to 19th and can rise four more places with a win over Alcarez. The 24-year-old hasn't had the best of years but did get to the fourth round at Wimbledon and the quarter finals in Washington. This US Open has seen him cause a few shocks with wins over Rafael Nadal and Andrey Rublev in the last two rounds. There has only been one previous meeting between the pair. That was on clay in Barcelona last year with Tiafoe winning in straight sets. Alcaraz will be a tough nut to crack over five rather than three sets. Go for him to win this and take over that world number one spot in the live rankings.