US Open: 4th Round Predictions for Day 8

The Top 4 for Day 8

Andy Murray

1. Andy Murray v Milos Raonic

Andy Murray looked a spent force in a third round thriller with Feliciano Lopez, but found a way to progress to the 4th round.  He plays the night match with Milos Raonic, who produced easily his best performance of the tournament to overwhelm James Blake in three sets.  Raonic has been steadily improving through the tournament and has reached the last 16 at the US Open for the first time in his career.  Murray lost his previous encounter to Raonic in Barcelona and this definitely looks like a tough match-up for the Brit.  Murray is my predicted champion and I am still confident he can get past the Canadian...

Prediction - Murray to beat Raonic in 4 sets

2. Angelique Kerber v Sara Errani

Angelique Kerber and Sara Errani have both matched their seedings to set up a French Open quarter-final rematch.  Kerber had that big win over Venus Williams in the second round and enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Olga Govortsova, 6-1 6-2 in the third round.  Errani herself was not too shabby as she beat Olga Puchkova in straight sets.  The pair met in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros earlier this year where Errani prevailed in a tight two setter.  In that match, Kerber was completely exhausted and on the hard courts, Kerber should have an edge over Errani... revenge time for the German.

Prediction - Kerber in 2 tight sets

3. Agnieszka Radwanska v Roberta Vinci

Nicolas Almagro

Agnieszka Radwanska fought off Jelena Jankovic in the third round in a tough two setter in hot and humid conditions on Arthur Ashe stadium.  Jankovic was the Dallas runner-up, the week before the Open and now Radwanska takes on the Dallas champion in Roberta Vinci.  The Italian has put together a streak of eight wins and has played some great tennis to reach the 4th round.  Vinci saved match points to beat Yaroslava Shvedova in the second round and overcame a heavy second set deficit to defeat Dominika Cibulkova in the third round.  Radwanska holds a big lead in their head-to-head, but I am still not convinced by her form.  I am going for a shock with Vinci progressing to the quarter-finals...

Prediction - Vinci to beat Radwanska in 3 sets

4. Tomas Berdych v Nicolas Almagro

This match-up has extra spice as Tomas Berdych famously would not shake Nicolas Almagro's hand following an incident in their 4th round match at the Australian Open earlier this year.  The pair have played since and I believe a handshake did occur in that one, but this should still be intriguing! Berdych has looked impressive so far and fought past Sam Querrey in four sets in his last match.  Almagro has once again been consistent on the hard courts to make the round of 16.  He defeated the American, Jack Sock in a four set third rounder.  I have been impressed with Berdych so far and fancy him to meet Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.

Best of the rest: Round of 16 predictions:

Ana Ivanovic to beat Tsvetana Pironkova in 3 sets

Serena Williams to beat Andrea Hlavackova in 2 sets

Roger Federer to beat Mardy Fish in 3 sets

Marin Cilic to beat Martin Klizan in 4 sets