Ricky Dimon
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The US Open – the fourth and final Grand Slam of the tennis season – is already approaching the second week. The remaining fourth-round spots will be handed out on Saturday, when Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Iga Swiatek are among those in action. Will we see any more upsets after Carlos Alcaraz was stunned by Botic van de Zandsculp? Let’s take a look at the US Open best bets to be made on the Day 6 schedule on Saturday, August 31.
Jasmine Paolini ML over Yulia Putintseva (-146)
Jasmine Paolini has been the breakout star of the WTA tour in 2024. It’s a surprising development, too, considering that she is already 28 years old. Better late than never, though! Paolini captured a WTA 1000 title on the hard courts of Dubai in February and has reached the final at each of the last 2 majors — the French Open (lost to Iga Swiatek) and Wimbledon (lost to Barbora Krejcikova). The world #5 picked up an impressive first-round win over 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu earlier this week and then got a walkover from Karolina Pliskova, so she is well-rested heading into this weekend. Paolini won her only previous meeting with Putintseva and should be able to do the same on Saturday.
Dan Evans +2.5 sets over Alex de Minaur (-144)
There is a lot to like about Dan Evans at this U.S. Open. The 34-year-old has already won the longest match in tournament history, beating Karen Khachanov in 5 hours and 35 minutes. Evans got right back in gear to crush Mariano Navone 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in round 2. The British veteran now faces an opponent in Alex de Minaur against whom he boasts a 3-1 lifetime record — including 3-0 at the ATP level. As if that isn’t enough to be confident in Evans, De Minaur is clearly less than 100 percent after sustaining a hip injury at Wimbledon. De Minaur did not play any tournaments in between the last 2 Grand Slams, so he is rusty. Despite winning twice earlier this week, the Australian has not looked like his normal self. Evans even has a good chance to win outright, but we’ll take him to just win a set to be safe.
Matteo Arnaldi ML over Jordan Thompson (+104)
A huge opportunity awaits Matteo Arnaldi, Jordan Thompson and all other players in this particular quarter of the draw at Flushing Meadows. It’s the one vacated by Alcaraz, who was stunned by Van de Zandschulp in the second round. Hubert Hurkacz and Sebastian Korda have also been ousted from this section, and it was Thompson who was responsible for Hurkacz’s exit. That’s a good result for the veteran Aussie, but keep in mind that Hurkacz has been compromised since suffering a torn meniscus at Wimbledon last month. Arnaldi has been in great form since last summer, when he advanced to the US Open fourth round (lost to Alcaraz). The Italian has not even come close to losing a set through 2 rounds so far this week. Arnaldi really should be the favorite.
