I picked Ben Shelton. I was wrong. Alexander Zverev beat him 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 US OPEN — his second Grand Slam title, and another year where American men's wait goes on. Full post-match analysis and an honest look at what I got wrong.

Zverev was ruthless from the start. He took the opening set 6-3, then won the tiebreak 7-2 to move two sets clear, and even when Shelton found a way back to take the third 7-5 on Arthur Ashe with the crowd roaring, the German simply reset and closed it out 6-2. It's the completion of a redemption arc six years in the making: Zverev was a US Open finalist in 2020, when he led Dominic Thiem by two sets and lost.

It caps the best season of his career. He broke through at ROLAND-GARROS this year for his first major, reached the WIMBLEDON FINAL, and made at least the semifinals at ALL FOUR Grand Slams in 2026. He was elevated to top seed here after Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury, and he justified it without ever really being troubled.

For Ben Shelton, it's the end of an extraordinary fortnight that still ends in heartbreak. He dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a five-set classic that finished at 3:33 A.M. — the latest finish in US Open history — then beat Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal to become the first American man in a Grand Slam final since ANDY RODDICK IN 2003, and the first Black American man in a US Open final since ARTHUR ASHE IN 1972. The drought he was trying to end now stretches to 23 YEARS.

And the head-to-head held: Zverev is now 6-0 against Shelton, having taken 13 of the 15 sets they have played. That was the thing I underweighted in my prediction, and I explain exactly why in this video.

In this video: set-by-set breakdown, the tiebreak that decided it, where Shelton's third-set revival came from and why it didn't hold, what I got wrong in my preview, and what comes next for both players.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Full set-by-set breakdown of the 2026 US Open final

- An honest post-mortem on my prediction

- Why Zverev has now beaten Shelton six times out of six

- Where both players go from here

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: FINAL — Men's Singles

Result: Alexander Zverev def. Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2

Significance: Zverev's second Grand Slam title, after Roland-Garros 2026; American men's Grand Slam drought extends to 23 years since Andy Roddick in 2003

Head-to-head: Zverev now leads 6-0

Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Did you pick Shelton too? Comments below.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open.

#Zverev #BenShelton #USOpen

Elena Rybakina has beaten Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to win the 2026 US OPEN — denying the two-time defending champion a place in history and claiming her first title at Flushing Meadows. Full post-match analysis and reaction.

Sabalenka was chasing a THREE-PEAT. A third consecutive US Open title would have made her the first woman to do it since SERENA WILLIAMS in 2012-14, and would have brought a fifth career major and a 20th straight win at this tournament. She had survived Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals and dismantled Jessica Pegula in the semifinal to get here.

Rybakina had taken the hardest route in the draw and kept finding answers. She overpowered Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4, ended qualifier Zheng Qinwen's extraordinary run 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, then came from a set down to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the final she did it again — taking the opener, losing a tight second as Sabalenka forced her way back, and then running away with the decider 6-2.

It's her THIRD major title and her FIRST US Open. And it continues a pattern that is becoming the defining rivalry in women's tennis: Rybakina has now beaten Sabalenka in BOTH 2026 GRAND SLAM FINALS they have contested, after winning the Australian Open final in January, and also took the 2025 WTA Finals title match against her. Sabalenka's answer this season was the Sunshine Double, beating Rybakina in both the Indian Wells and Miami finals. Sabalenka still leads the overall head-to-head, but Rybakina now leads their Grand Slam finals 2-1.

On the rankings: Rybakina moves to World No. 1 on Monday with Sabalenka dropping to No. 2 — but that was already mathematically confirmed before this match was played. The title doesn't change the ranking. It does mean she arrives at No. 1 as the reigning Australian Open AND US Open champion.

In this video: how the match was won set by set, where the second set slipped and how Rybakina reset, the serving and return numbers that decided it, what it means for Sabalenka, and where this rivalry stands going into the rest of the season.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Full set-by-set breakdown of the 2026 US Open final

- Why Rybakina has now won three of their biggest matches

- Whether Sabalenka's New York era is genuinely over

- Where this rivalry goes from here

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: FINAL — Women's Singles

Result: Elena Rybakina def. Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2

Significance: Rybakina's 3rd major and 1st US Open; ends Sabalenka's bid to become the first woman to win three straight US Open titles since Serena Williams (2012-14)

Grand Slam finals between them: Rybakina leads 2-1

Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Is this the best rivalry in women's tennis right now? Comments below.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#Rybakina #Sabalenka #USOpen

Alexander Zverev vs Ben Shelton — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the 2026 US OPEN FINAL on Arthur Ashe Stadium. An American man is one match from ending a 23-year wait, against an opponent who has never lost to him.

Ben Shelton is the story of the tournament. The eighth seed reached his FIRST GRAND SLAM FINAL by beating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American semifinal — and he got there the hardest way imaginable, dethroning defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a five-set classic that finished at 3:33 A.M., the latest finish in US Open history. He is the FIRST AMERICAN MAN IN A GRAND SLAM FINAL SINCE ANDY RODDICK IN 2003, the first Black American man in a US Open final since ARTHUR ASHE IN 1972, and the first in any major final since MaliVai Washington at Wimbledon in 1996. He's had a career-best season: four titles in Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart and Montreal, and a 39-13 record.

Alexander Zverev has finally become the player everyone expected. The top seed broke through at ROLAND-GARROS this year for his first major, then reached the WIMBLEDON FINAL, and has now made at least the semifinals at ALL FOUR Grand Slams in 2026. This is his SIXTH major final and his third in a row. He beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 7-6(7), 7-6(6) to get here, and he was a US Open finalist back in 2020, when he led Dominic Thiem by two sets and lost.

And here's the brutal part for American hopes: ZVEREV IS 5-0 AGAINST SHELTON. Four of those five wins came in straight sets, and he has taken 10 of the 11 sets they've played — Shelton's only set came in their very first meeting in Cincinnati. They have never met at a Grand Slam.

Pedigree against momentum. Experience against a crowd that will be deafening. Who wins the last major of 2026?

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Exactly how Zverev has beaten Shelton five times

- What Shelton has added this season that could flip it

- Whether the crowd genuinely moves a Grand Slam final

- Prediction and predicted scoreline

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: FINAL — Men's Singles

Players: Alexander Zverev (GER, 1st seed, French Open champion) vs Ben Shelton (USA, 8th seed)

Head-to-head: Zverev leads 5-0 — first ever meeting at a Grand Slam

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026

Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York

At stake: First American men's Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick (2003); Zverev's second major

💬 Who lifts the trophy? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open.

#BenShelton #Zverev #USOpen

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the 2026 US OPEN FINAL on Arthur Ashe Stadium. A rematch of the Australian Open final, a piece of Serena Williams history on the line, and a No. 1 ranking that has already changed hands.

Aryna Sabalenka is chasing something nobody has done in over a decade. The two-time defending champion is bidding to become the FIRST WOMAN TO WIN THREE STRAIGHT US OPEN TITLES SINCE SERENA WILLIAMS in 2012-14. Victory would give her a FIFTH career major and a 20TH CONSECUTIVE WIN at this tournament. She survived Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in the quarterfinals, then demolished Jessica Pegula in the semifinal to get here.

Elena Rybakina is already the new World No. 1 — she takes over the top ranking on Monday regardless of what happens on Saturday, with Sabalenka dropping to No. 2. The reigning Australian Open champion has taken the hard road all fortnight: past Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4, past qualifier Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, and then a comeback win over Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. A second major of 2026 is one match away.

The rivalry is one of the best in the sport. Sabalenka leads 10-7 overall, but the biggest matches have gone Rybakina's way lately — she won the 2025 WTA FINALS title match AND the 2026 AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL, both against Sabalenka. Sabalenka answered by beating her in the Indian Wells AND Miami finals to sweep the Sunshine Double.

This is their THIRD Grand Slam final against each other, and they have split the first two. Power against power, the best two hard-court players in the world, for the last major of the season.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- How Rybakina won the Australian Open final and whether it repeats

- How Sabalenka answered at Indian Wells and Miami

- What 19 straight US Open wins tells us about Sabalenka in New York

- Prediction and predicted scoreline for the final

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: FINAL — Women's Singles

Players: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 seed, two-time defending champion) vs Elena Rybakina (No. 2 seed, incoming World No. 1)

Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 10-7 — Grand Slam finals split 1-1

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 — 4:00 PM ET

Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York

At stake: First US Open three-peat since Serena Williams (2012-14); Rybakina's second major of 2026

💬 Who lifts the trophy? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#Sabalenka #Rybakina #USOpen

Alexander Zverev vs Karen Khachanov — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the SEMIFINAL of the 2026 US Open. The top seed and reigning French Open champion against a big-hitter chasing a first Grand Slam final at 30.

Alexander Zverev has had the cleanest route of anyone left. The top seed — elevated after World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury — won ROLAND-GARROS this season for his FIRST GRAND SLAM TITLE, becoming the first player other than Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz to win a major since 2024. In New York he has barely been troubled, cruising past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 in the quarterfinals on Arthur Ashe. He was a US Open finalist back in 2020, where he led by two sets before losing to Dominic Thiem. This is his chance to finish the job.

Karen Khachanov is chasing the final that has always eluded him. This is only his THIRD Grand Slam semifinal — after the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Australian Open, losing both — and his first since. He reached the last four here when Alexander Blockx retired in their quarterfinal at 6-2, 7-5, 3-2. At 30, with one of the heaviest forehands on tour, he is bidding for a maiden major final.

The head-to-head favours the German: Zverev leads 6-3 across nine meetings, and 5-3 in the eight played on hard courts. But Khachanov's three wins in the rivalry have ALL come on hard courts, and he beat Zverev en route to the Toronto final in their recent history. He knows how to hurt him.

With Alcaraz and Djokovic both out, this half has opened completely. Whoever wins here is one match from a major title.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Why this half of the draw blew wide open

- How Khachanov has beaten Zverev before

- Whether Zverev's Roland-Garros breakthrough changes him in New York

- Prediction, scoreline, and the final that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Semifinal — Men's Singles

Players: Alexander Zverev (GER, 1st seed, French Open champion) vs Karen Khachanov

Head-to-head: Zverev leads 6-3 (5-3 on hard courts)

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026 — not before 3:00 PM ET, Arthur Ashe Stadium

Other semifinal: Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Zverev or Khachanov? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open.

#Zverev #Khachanov #USOpen

Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the ALL-AMERICAN SEMIFINAL at the 2026 US Open. Whoever wins makes history, and an American man is guaranteed a place in the final for the first time in over two decades.

The stakes here are extraordinary. The winner of this match becomes the FIRST BLACK AMERICAN MAN TO REACH A US OPEN FINAL SINCE ARTHUR ASHE IN 1972 — and the first to reach ANY Grand Slam final since 1996. It also guarantees an American men's finalist at Flushing Meadows for the first time since Andy Roddick in 2003, the last year an American man won this title.

Ben Shelton arrives off the match of the tournament. The eighth seed dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) in a four-hour-28-minute classic that finished at 3:33 A.M. — the LATEST FINISH IN US OPEN HISTORY — ending Alcaraz's 18-match Grand Slam winning streak. He came into New York as the Montreal Masters 1000 champion after a career-best season with titles in Dallas, Munich and Stuttgart.

Frances Tiafoe produced a comeback of his own. The 11th seed trailed fellow American Alex Michelsen by TWO SETS AND A BREAK before completing the biggest Grand Slam comeback of his career, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) across nearly five hours. New York is where Tiafoe has always played his best tennis — this is familiar territory for him.

Shelton leads the head-to-head 3-1, but at the US Open specifically they are level at 1-1: Shelton won their 2023 quarterfinal on the way to the semifinals, Tiafoe won a five-setter in 2024. Both men are running on fumes after marathon quarterfinals. Whoever recovers better probably wins.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Why fatigue may be the deciding factor

- How their two previous US Open meetings went

- What an American finalist would mean after 23 years

- Prediction, scoreline, and the final that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Semifinal — Men's Singles

Players: Ben Shelton (USA, 8th seed) vs Frances Tiafoe (USA, 11th seed)

Head-to-head: Shelton leads 3-1 (US Open meetings tied 1-1)

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026 — night session, Arthur Ashe Stadium

At stake: First Black American man in a US Open final since Arthur Ashe (1972); first American men's finalist since 2003

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Shelton or Tiafoe? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the ATP or the US Open.

#BenShelton #FrancesTiafoe #USOpen

Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the SEMIFINAL of the 2026 US Open. The third consecutive year these two have met in the second week at Flushing Meadows, and Pegula is still looking for the answer.

Aryna Sabalenka is chasing history. The World No. 1, top seed and TWO-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPION is into the US Open semifinals for a SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR, still hunting a third consecutive title and her first major of 2026. She was pushed to the brink to get here, surviving Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) in a quarterfinal that went to a deciding tiebreak, after earlier beating Taylor Townsend in straight sets.

Jessica Pegula is chasing something she has never had: a first Grand Slam title. The third seed leads the ENTIRE WTA TOUR with 34 hard-court wins this season and has 50 match wins overall in 2026, with titles in Dubai and Charleston, a run to the DC Open final in Washington and the Cincinnati final. She came through an all-American quarterfinal against Emma Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

But New York keeps ending the same way. Sabalenka beat her in the 2024 US OPEN FINAL and again in last year's SEMIFINAL — and leads the overall head-to-head 9-4. Pegula has never beaten her at this tournament.

The encouraging news for the American: the recent form has flipped. Pegula has won two of their last three meetings, including 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-0 in the Berlin semifinals this season. She has the tools. She has never had them work here.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Why New York has been Pegula's blind spot against Sabalenka

- What changed in Berlin and whether it transfers

- Whether the Noskova escape exposed anything in Sabalenka's game

- Prediction, scoreline, and the final that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Semifinal — Women's Singles

Players: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 seed, two-time defending champion) vs Jessica Pegula (USA, No. 3, 3rd seed)

Head-to-head: Sabalenka leads 9-4 — but Pegula has won 2 of the last 3

US Open history: Sabalenka won the 2024 final and the 2025 semifinal

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026 — 7:00 PM ET, Arthur Ashe Stadium

Other semifinal: Coco Gauff vs Elena Rybakina

💬 Sabalenka or Pegula? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#Sabalenka #JessicaPegula #USOpen

Coco Gauff vs Elena Rybakina — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for the SEMIFINAL of the 2026 US Open. The new World No. 1 against the 2023 champion, in a final four that hasn't happened at this tournament in 51 YEARS.

Elena Rybakina arrives with the biggest news of the fortnight already secured: she WILL BECOME WORLD NO. 1 after this tournament, replacing Aryna Sabalenka, after edging Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. The reigning Australian Open champion had to come from a set down to end the qualifier's extraordinary run, and it caps a stretch in which she has beaten Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 and won 42 of her last 50 hard-court matches. She is the form player on this surface, full stop.

Coco Gauff is one match from a second US Open final, and she just survived the scare of her tournament. Having not dropped a set through four rounds, the fourth seed found herself a set and two MATCH POINTS down against 2026 Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva before rallying to win 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 — extending her perfect head-to-head over Andreeva to 6-0. She came into New York as the Cincinnati Open champion, exactly as she did in 2023 before winning her maiden Grand Slam in this building.

The head-to-head is dead level at 1-1 — and the last meeting was recent. In the Toronto semifinals on August 13, Rybakina lost the opening set and then took control, winning 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

For context on how strong this final four is: this is the FIRST TIME SINCE 1975 that all top four seeds have reached the US Open women's semifinals, with Sabalenka facing Jessica Pegula in the other half.

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- How Rybakina beat Gauff in Toronto four weeks ago

- Whether Gauff's escape was a warning sign or proof of resilience

- What the No. 1 ranking pressure does to Rybakina

- Prediction, scoreline, and the final that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Semifinal — Women's Singles

Players: Coco Gauff (USA, No. 4, 4th seed) vs Elena Rybakina (KAZ, No. 2 seed, incoming World No. 1)

Head-to-head: 1-1 (last: Toronto 2026 SF, Rybakina won 5-7 6-2 6-2)

Other semifinal: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula

Surface: Outdoor Hard

Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Gauff or Rybakina? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#CocoGauff #Rybakina #USOpen

Elena Rybakina vs Zheng Qinwen — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for their QUARTERFINAL at the 2026 US Open. The World No. 1 ranking on one side, the most improbable run of the tournament on the other.

Elena Rybakina is one win from the top of the game. The second seed and reigning Australian Open champion is GUARANTEED TO REPLACE ARYNA SABALENKA AS WORLD NO. 1 if she reaches the semifinals here. She has been overwhelming all fortnight and produced her best performance yet in the round of 16, overpowering Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 in a rematch of their Toronto quarterfinal. Add the Canadian Open final and 42 wins in her last 50 hard-court matches, and she is the form player on this surface.

Zheng Qinwen's run is one of the stories of the year. The Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist and former World No. 4 fell to No. 121 after elbow surgery and had to come through QUALIFYING just to reach this main draw. She is now the FIRST QUALIFIER TO REACH THE US OPEN LAST EIGHT SINCE EMMA RADUCANU WON THE TITLE IN 2021 — and she has done it the hard way. Twice. She erased a 5-0 deficit and saved match point to beat Madison Keys 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5, then fell 5-0 down AGAIN against Iga Swiatek before reeling off SEVEN STRAIGHT GAMES to win 7-5, 6-3 — against an opponent who led their head-to-head 7-1.

That single previous loss for Swiatek? The Paris 2024 Olympic semifinal, where Zheng also came from behind. This is what she does.

An eight-match winning streak and nothing to lose against the most powerful player in the draw with the No. 1 ranking on the line. Who reaches the semifinals?

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- Why Rybakina has looked like the best player in the draw

- How Zheng keeps producing these comebacks

- What the No. 1 ranking pressure could do

- Prediction, scoreline, and the semifinal that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Quarterfinal — Women's Singles

Players: Elena Rybakina (KAZ, No. 2 seed) vs Zheng Qinwen (CHN, qualifier)

At stake: Rybakina becomes World No. 1 with a win

Surface: Outdoor Hard

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Rybakina or Zheng? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

👍 Like if you want daily US Open previews and predictions

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- Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#Rybakina #ZhengQinwen #USOpen

Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva — full preview, head-to-head breakdown and prediction for their QUARTERFINAL at the 2026 US Open. A reigning French Open champion who has NEVER beaten her opponent, against a home favourite who has not dropped a set all tournament.

Coco Gauff is back in the last eight in New York for the first time since her title run in 2023 — and the parallels keep stacking up. The fourth seed arrived as the Cincinnati Open champion, her first title of 2026 and her second in that building, exactly as she did before winning her maiden Grand Slam here three years ago. She has been flawless since: NOT A SET DROPPED in four matches, closing with a clinical 6-1, 6-4 win over 14th seed Iva Jovic in 80 minutes.

Mirra Andreeva is into her first US OPEN QUARTERFINAL, and she has had to work for it. The fifth seed and 2026 ROLAND-GARROS CHAMPION — the youngest women's champion in Paris since Monica Seles in 1992 — has been tested repeatedly, most recently surviving Anastasia Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 after dropping the opening set. At 19, with a major already won and a title in Linz plus a Madrid final this season, she is a genuine threat on any surface.

Except, apparently, against Gauff. The American leads the head-to-head 5-0 across five meetings, most recently 6-4, 7-6(5) in the Rome quarterfinals in 2025. Andreeva has never solved her. "It'll come down to who holds up better in the big moments," Gauff said.

Fresh legs against three-set grinding, a perfect record against a Grand Slam champion. Who reaches the semifinals?

🎾 IN THIS VIDEO

- The pattern behind Gauff's five straight wins over Andreeva

- Whether a major title changes the dynamic

- Fresh legs vs three-setters: what the mileage costs

- Prediction, scoreline, and the semifinal that follows

📊 MATCH INFO

Tournament: 2026 US Open (Grand Slam)

Round: Quarterfinal — Women's Singles

Players: Coco Gauff (USA, No. 4, 4th seed) vs Mirra Andreeva (5th seed, French Open champion)

Head-to-head: Gauff leads 5-0 (last: Rome 2025 QF, 6-4 7-6(5))

Surface: Outdoor Hard

Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

💬 Does Andreeva finally break through? Predicted scoreline in the comments.

👍 Like if you want daily US Open previews and predictions

🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications for full 2026 US Open coverage

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- Acemate: https://www.acematetennis.com?sca_ref=11586466.udoQ3GLV6m55xoG1&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=standard-affiliate-commission&utm_content=affiliate-QualityShot-Tennis

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Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use and no copyright infringement is intended. No match footage is shown in these videos.

⚠️ Independent tennis analysis and commentary. Predictions are opinion only and not betting advice. Not affiliated with the USTA, the WTA or the US Open.

#CocoGauff #MirraAndreeva #USOpen