Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the US Open match.
Carlos Alcaraz arrives in the Round of 16 at the US Open in outstanding form. He has won 58 of 64 matches this season and has already collected six titles. Jiří Lehečka is also producing the best tennis of his career this year, rising to No.21 in the rankings and lifting the Brisbane title. However, he has struggled against elite opposition.
Jiří Lehečka
Lehečka builds his game around a powerful serve and forehand, and he ranks inside the top eight for percentage of service games held on hard courts (86.1%). Jiří is weaker on return, winning only 18% of return points. In New York he has come past Adrian Mannarino, David Goffin and Flavio Cobolli, but the match against the French exposed first-serve issues (52% in) and 10 double faults, which will be a serious liability against Carlos Alcaraz. Against top-10 opponents, his record is unconvincing: 13 defeats in 19 matches.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz has been flawless on hard courts in this part of the season. He won the title at the Cincinnati Masters, and at the start of the US Open Carlos has beaten four top-100 opponents — Arthur Rinderknech, Reilly Opelka, Luciano Darderi and Mattia Bellucci — while dropping just one service game across 12 sets. His percentage of games won on return this season is 35.3%, the best mark on tour. The Spaniard has also won eight consecutive quarter-finals.
Jiří Lehečka vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction
Lehečka appears less prepared for this level of opposition. Alcaraz offers more variety in the rallies and carries the psychological edge of the top favourite. Carlos is beating opponents convincingly, and Jiří is unlikely to be an exception.
