US Open Predictions 2022: SportsTips’ Top Tennis Picks For Men’s Semifinals

It’s the final four here at the US Open, and on the men’s side of the draw we still have one American left, Tiafoe. There are no more seeded players left in the draw, however a brand new US Open champion will be crowned, as none of the remaining players have won the Grand Slam.

With so much to play for, who will rise to the challenge, and who will crack under the pressure? Both matchups are set to be a cracker and you don’t want to miss this, as a spot in the finals is up for grabs.

Enjoy our free tennis picks and predictions for each round at the US Open for the 2022 season.

Casper Rudd (5) vs Karen Khachanov (27)

The 5th seeded Casper Rudd is set to take on the 27th seeded Karen Khachanov in this men’s semi finals matchup. Rudd won his quarterfinals matchup in straight sets and will be looking to have a repeat performance in this game. Meanwhile Khachanov went the distance with Kyrigos in a five set thriller to punch his ticket to the semifinals. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

Reaching the semi-finals of the US Open is one of the biggest successes this year for the Russian power hitter – Karen Kachanov. In the last two rounds, he has displayed impressive performances versus – at least on paper – better opponents. Later on, in the ⅛ finals, he beat Carreno Busta P. in five sets, and in the ¼ finals, he drew one of the main favorites to win the tournament – Nick Kyrgios. The match was an impressive battle. Both players exchanged great rallies game after game, and in the end, Khachanov kept himself cool, calm, and collected and managed to win in five sets.

Casper Ruud is one of the brightest young stars in tennis. In the last round, he had a relatively easy match against Berrettini. Like all the young players, he has had some ups and downs in the tournament, but it has definitely been an impressive showing. Reaching the semi-finals is a huge success any way you frame it. The last time Khachanov and Ruud met, Ruud won the match 2-1. I expect a tight match again, with lots of excitement – probably going five sets. I am predicting the total games going over the 42.5 mark

Denis Kirilov

Karen Khachanov have surprised every tennis fan with his performance at the US Open so far. He managed to top his best result which was a Third Round by going all the way to the Semi-Finals. The talented Russian comes off two consecutive five-setters against Pablo Carreno-Busta and Nick Kyrgios which might take its toll on his chances to make a maiden Grand Slam Final. However, Khachanov is still 26 years old which might help him with his recovery. It’s quite important what will happen between his Quarter-Final and his upcoming match against Casper Ruud as he needs to be close to 100% in order to use his strong first serve. 

On the other hand, the young Norwegian is just one win away from surpassing Rafael Nadal in the ATP Rankings. However, he will need to make a better tournament than Carlos Alcaraz in order to start the next week as a World No.1. Having in mind that Ruud’s favorite surface is clay, his Semi-Final in New York becomes an even more impressive achievement. He is a slight favorite againstt Khachanov and his 3-0 win over Matteo Berrettini makes me think that he will go all the way this time. My pick here will favor the Norwegian as I am reluctant to believe that he will cruise past the Russian. 

Jack Hartman

Karen Khachanov produced one of the performances of his career as he ousted Nick Kygrios in the quarterfinals. Khachanov was able to keep his composure and saved his best tennis for the fifth set where some breathtaking shot making earned him the crucial win. This is the Russian’s first ever Grand Slam semifinal and it will be interesting to see how he will handle this occasion. For fans of the Russian they will be concerned how much gas he has left in the tank as he has won both of his last matches in five sets. In the heat and humidity of New York this is bound to have taken a lot out of him and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the physicality that Casper Ruud is bound to bring. 

Casper Ruud has already shown that he is one of the best clay court players in the world but he and his team will be delighted to have reached this stage of the tournament. Ruud can end the year as world number one but knows he has to win this tournament. Ruud will start the match as the undoubted favourite, he is the better player and has spent less time on court than his opponent. Ruud’s straight set victory over Matteo Berrettini was mightily impressive and if he produces something similar here, he will be tough to stop. 

Carlos Alcaraz (3) vs Frances Tiafoe (22)

22nd seeded Frances Tiafoe should be ready and rested after his three set sweep during his quarterfinal matchup that punched his ticket to this round. He has beaten two of the world’s best in his last two matchups. Meanwhile his opponent, Carlos Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a five set thriller to reach the semifinals of the 2022 U.S. Open. 

Aleksandar Ricliev

Francis Tiafoe is living the best days of his tennis career. In this tournament, he’s been imposing. On his road to the semi-finals, he has lost only a single set – beating one of the best players in the history of the sport – Rafael Nadal. Every single opponent who faced him got obliterated – 3 sets to zero. The American sensation seems to be getting better at high-stakes moments. He has won every tie-break he’s been a part of at the US Open and continues to rise to the occasion. He also has the support of the home fans, so that’s a massive bonus for him.

Carlos Alcaraz started the US Open on a high note, beating the two Argentinians Beaz and Coria 2 – 0 ( forfeit ) and 3 – 0, respectively. The American Brooksby didn’t stand a chance in the third round and suffered the same 3 – 0 defeat. However, the last two rounds have a real battle of wills. In the ⅛ finals, Alcaraz went five sets with Cilic in an emotional match. The ¼ finals against Sinner were the same. The match lasted 5 and a half hours before Alcaraz won in five sets. The two excruciating matches have undoubtedly affected his body. I am predicting Tiafoe to make another upset and win this match.

Denis Kirilov

Frances Tiafoe has made a huge statement at this year’s US Open. The young American picked up consecutive victories over Rafael Nadal and Andrey Rublev which has surely boosted his confidence ahead of his maiden Semi-Final at a Grand Slam. Unfortunately, he remained quite inconsistent throughout all these years which held him back from unleashing his potential. It seems that this year the stars have aligned for Tiafoe as he enters the most important match of his career with a slight advantage over his opponent. The American played under three hours for his 3-0 win over Andrey Rublev, while Carlos Alcaraz stayed on the court way after midnight following his five-set thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Alcaraz is one win away from surpassing Rafael Nadal as a provisional World No.1. He has shown immense mentality during this year’s US Open winning two fantastic five-setters in a row against Marin Cilic and Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz is certainly a gem in the making as he is now looking to make his deciding move on the ATP Tour. Winning his maiden Grand Slam and becoming a World No.1 will definitely be a dream come true, but he will first need to recover well for his Semi-Final with Tiafoe. Alcaraz is young enough and that’s why I think he won’t have troubles with that while his mentality should eventually give him the edge on Friday night. 

Jack Hartman

Wow what a match. Carlos Alcaraz completed his epic five set contest against Jannik Sinner in the early hours of Thursday morning winning a dramatic five set encounter. It looked like the young Spanish sensation would miss out on reaching his first ever grand slam semi final as had to stave off a match point in the fourth set and had to recover from going a break down in the fifth and final set. Alcaraz showed he isn’t just a phenomenal player but also an incredible fighter. His job now is to recover as it won’t long before he is back on court once again.

Alcaraz will play the surprise package of the tournament in Frances Tiafoe. This is Tiafoe’s biggest run at any grand slam and he will head into this match flying. Tiafoe has had a superb tournament beating the likes of Diego Schwartzman, Andrey Rublev and of course Rafa Nadal. What is even more impressive is that the American has only lost one set en route to this stage and considering the standard of his opponents that is so impressive. Tiafoe has always been a stunning athlete but it’s been his serve that has really caught the eye and in his match against Rublev he fired down 18 aces. Tiafoe has the physical advantage over his opponent and leads the head to head 2-0. This is a different kettle of fish altogether and I expect the Spaniard to come through and book a place in his first ever US Open final.

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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.