There is still significant British interest in the US Open singles, with Dan Evans back in action on Sunday evening, while teenage sensation Emma Raducanu is also through to the last 16 in the women’s draw.
Evans set up a fourth-round showdown with second seed and world number two Daniil Medvedev after coming from two sets down to beat Alexei Popyrin, while Raducanu stunned Sara Sorribes Tomo to continue her amazing run at Flushing Meadows.
Formidable Medvedev too Tough
Birmingham-born Evans has equalled his best-ever run at a Grand Slam – he also made the last-16 at the Australian Open in 2017 – but sadly it’s likely to be ended by Russian star Medvedev, who is 2/55 to win with the Brit a huge 12/1 outsider.
Medvedev has yet to drop a set on route to this stage and will likely be considerably fresher than Evans, who was visibly shattered at the end of his five-set marathon against Popyrin.
It’s tempting to suggest another straightforward 3-0 success for Medvedev, which is on offer at 20/43, but Evans may well be able to muster some resistance and a 3-1 overall score in the Russian’s favour represents decent value at 27/10.
Schwartzman Should Prevail
Among the other fourth-round ties taking place on Sunday, expect 11th seed Diego Schwartzman (2/9) to see off Botic Van De Zandschulp, while Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (2/9) should similarly dispense with qualifier Peter Gojowczyk.
Felix Auger-Aliassime is the 8/15 favourite to beat Frances Tiafoe, who is 8/5 to win, but it might not be a comfortable passage for the Canadian, who only just edged past Roberto Bautista Agut in five sets in the previous round.
Backing Auger-Aliassime to win 3-1 in sets at 59/20 appeals.
Teen Sensation Raducanu on a Roll
All eyes will be on Raducanu on Monday when the 18-year-old continues her superb tournament so far against Shelby Rogers, who herself caused an upset when she knocked out top seed Ashleigh Barty in the third round.
Raducanu was predicted to find it difficult against Sorribes Tomo in her third-round tie, but she trounced the world number 41 6-0 6-1 thanks to a sensational performance and, with momentum on her side, the Brit is 4/6 favourite to beat Rogers and continue her stunning progress.
In what must serve as a warning to world number 43 Rogers, Raducanu admitted after her victory over Sorribes Tomo that her game is “getting better with each match”.
She’s now just 17/2 to win the US Open – an achievement that was in the realms of fantasy before she started out in the qualifying rounds last month.
*All odds correct at time of writing
