TOP THREE SEEDS INCLUDING DJOKOVIC AND FEDERER HEADLINE MEN’S QUARTERFINAL LINEUP BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 3rd September 2014

TOP THREE SEEDS INCLUDING DJOKOVIC AND FEDERER HEADLINE MEN'S QUARTERFINAL LINEUP BY RICKY DIMON

epa04376082 Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Sam Querrey of the US during the sixth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 30 August 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JUSTIN LANE |

Although there have been a few upsets along the way at this year’s U.S. Open, they have–unlike on the women’s side–been few and far between. That means the quarterfinal lineup is a blockbuster one, with eight seeds having managed to survive and advance. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Stan Wawrinka are all still alive.

Let’s take a look at Wednesday’s and Thursday’s quarterfinal matches:

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (8) Andy Murray: For the other three matchups, the U.S. Open quarterfinals makes for either the biggest or at least one of the biggest head-to-head meetings between the two opponents in question. Not so for Djokovic and Murray. These two friendly foes have faced each other on the absolute grandest stages: for example, the 2011 Australian Open final, the 2012 Olympic semifinals, the 2012 U.S. Open final, the 2013 Australian Open final, and the 2013 Wimbledon final. Needless to say, this is a matchup worthy of this fortnight’s title match. But due to Murray’s relatively low No. 8 seeding, they have to square off in the quarters. That’s bad news for the two players, but great news for fans. Get your popcorn ready.

Andy Murray of Great Britain hits a return to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during the eighth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. (10) Kei Nishikori: Well that’s no way to treat someone who two days earlier played a five-set marathon that lasted until 2:26 in the morning (tied for the latest finish in U.S. Open history). Throw him back out there in the afternoon session with just about 36 hours of recovery time? Of course, there really was no other option. Djokovic vs. Murray just has to be the night session, which means Nishikori vs. Wawrinka must be during the day. Wawrinka is coming off a tough match of his own against Tommy Robredo, but it concluded around 9:00 p.m.–not 2:00 a.m. like Nishikori’s showdown against Milos Raonic. Advantage: Stan.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland hits a return to Tommy Robredo of Spain during the eighth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

(20) Gael Monfils vs. (2) Roger Federer: Aside from a brief tantrum during his otherwise clinical performance against Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday, Monfils has been up to none of his usual funny business during this U.S. Open. Sometimes considered an entertainer first and foremost and a tennis player second, the flamboyant Frenchman has been surprisingly focused in Flushing Meadows. In fact, Monfils is the only man other than Djokovic who has not yet dropped a single set this fortnight. But he is facing a rather difficult opponent on Thursday: a 17-time Grand Slam champion, to be exact. In Federer’s last six sets, he has unmercifully surrendered a mere 12 games in total.

Gael Monfils of France hits a return to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on the ninth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

(6) Tomas Berdych vs. (14) Marin Cilic: The last time these two big hitters faced each other, in the Wimbledon third round a few months ago, it ended in almost pitch-black darkness. There will be no such problems this time around, as their quarterfinal match will–if necessary–be illuminated quite nicely by the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. It should be a good one, too. Berdych is coming off two consecutive three-set victories, including one on Tuesday over Dominic Thiem. Cilic, in the midst of his best season on tour, withstood a spirited effort from Gilles Simon to survive in five sets in their fourth-round tussle. If you like massive ball-striking from the back of the court, this one’s for you.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic hits a return to Dominic Thiem of Austria on the ninth day of the 2014 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2014. The US Open runs through 08 September, a 15-day schedule. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic, Men's quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych, US Open

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10sBalls_com says:

September 3, 2014 at 8:38 am

TOP THREE SEEDS INCLUDING @DjokerNole AND @rogerfederer HEADLINE MEN’S #QUARTERFINAL LINEUP BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/fHq8M6uFlc #tennis