After yesterday’s events, I am not feeling two sepparate posts. Still in a tennis daze …

Predicted Winners in BOLD

Arthur Ashe Stadium (Noon start)

[3] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [15] Maria Sakkari (GRE) – This can go either way. Beating Sloane Stephens from 1 set down and Serena speaking about the priveledge pressure is makes me think she will come through her side of the draw despite the quality of depth she will need to face to reach the final.

[2] Dominic Thiem (AUT) vs. [15] Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) – The surface helps the 15th seed. With Djokovic’s exit, some pressure shifts to Thiem who has reached 3 major finals in his career only to have Rafa and Nole deny him. Still, Thiem and his forehand are favored.

[3] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. Frances Tiafoe (USA) – Medvedev is playing exceptionally well. I think Tiafoe has a chance, but again Medvedev has to be favord.

[2] Sofia Kenin (USA) vs. [16] Elise Mertens (BEL) – On Ashe, I seem to be picking chalk.

“After yesterday’s big win and heading into the Round of 16 of the US Open, Vasek announced that he attributes his high-performance success in the US Open to his daily routine of taking Hekate functional mushrooms.”

— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) September 7, 2020

Louis Armstrong Stadium (11 a.m.)

[21] Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN) – I don’t know if it is the Super Mario Mushrooms, the PTPA, or just a massive serve and confidence, but why not have another mild upset?

Alizé Cornet (FRA) vs. [PR] Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) – This is tricky. I think Cornet is one of the most cagey players on either tour. Maybe that will draw some rust from Pironkova’s 3-year absence to the forefront.

[6] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) vs. [10] Andrey Rublev (RUS) – Rublev is my dark horse.

[20] Karolina Muchova (CZE) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – Don’t tell HAL-9000, but Vika is an underdog in the computer’s eyes only.