Karen Khachanov vs. Casper Ruud, Tiafoe vs. Alcaraz Predictions, Picks, Odds: US Open Semifinals
Karen Khachanov vs. Casper Ruud, Tiafoe vs. Alcaraz Predictions, Picks, Odds: US Open Semifinals
Are we witnessing a changing of the guard in men’s tennis, given the four players that remain at the US Open semifinals? Of course, we knew that Novak Djokovic (ineligible because of vaccination status) and Roger Federer (injury) would not be competing for another Grand Slam title. But after Rafael Nadal’s loss to Frances Tiafoe in the Round of 16, we knew we were in store for a younger player to break through for their first major title.
Who will compete on Sunday in the US Open finals? Tennis expert Mike Spector weighs in with his best bet for Friday’s two semifinal matches.
Karen Khachanov vs. Casper Ruud Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
Date: Friday, September 9
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Click Here for Khachanov vs Ruud Odds
Karen Khachanov vs. Casper Ruud Prediction
No. 27 seed Karen Khachanov earned a much-deserved two days off after consecutive grueling five-set wins over No. 12 seed Pablo Carreno Busta and No. 23 seed Nick Kyrgios. Khachanov ousted Kyrgios in the match after he defeated defending champion Daniil Medvedev in an impressive fashion. The Russian matched Kyrgios’ big serve with 30 aces to his 31 and also hit 63 winners. However, the difference in the match was Khachanov’s much steadier play from the baseline, as he had 27 fewer unforced errors than Kyrgios and was broken just twice in the match.
To say that this is No. 5 seed Casper Ruud’s most successful major to this point is an understatement. Ruud had not been past the fourth round in any prior Grand Slam, and this run is much more rewarding, considering he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open with an ankle injury just one day before it began. However, perhaps we should have seen this coming as Ruud is now 12-2 in majors this year.
Ruud appears highly motivated to replace Daniil Medvedev as world No. 1 if he wins this title and is a worthy -205 favorite. However, for better odds, we will opt for his prop that he wins over 20.5 games, as he is unlikely to dispatch Khachanov in straight sets.
Karen Khachanov vs. Casper Ruud Pick
PICK: Casper Ruud To Win Over 20.5 Games (-115) (Bet $115 to Win $100)
Frances Tiafoe vs. Carlos Alcaraz Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
Date: Friday, September 9
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Click Here for Tiafoe vs Alcaraz Odds
Frances Tiafoe vs. Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
This one seems too easy, as Carlos Alcaraz is coming off consecutive marathon five-set matches, 49 and 56 games played, respectively. Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe is coming off a tidy straight-set victory over Andrey Rublev and will decidedly have the crowd support in this match as the lone remaining American man or woman still alive to compete for this year’s US Open single's title.
However, all of that has already been baked into this line, and Alcaraz does have one day to recover from the grind of the last few days with this match being played on Friday.
Though Alcaraz saved a match point in the fourth set, he also failed to convert five set points in the second set and did not serve out the third set when he had the opportunity. That inconsistency in big points can burn him against Tiafoe, but at the very least, it should have us in for another intense match that could last hours.
Frances Tiafoe vs. Carlos Alcaraz Pick
PICK: Tiafoe-Alcaraz Over 40.5 Total Games (-125) (Bet $125 to Win $100)