US Open 2018: Draw preview and predictions of the Men's singles

#3 BOTTOM HALF

2014 US Open champ Marin Cilic is all set to capture his second title in New York

THIRD QUARTER: Projected quarterfinal #4 Alexander Zverev vs #7 Marin Cilic

World No. 4 Alexander Zverev is without a hint of doubt a force to reckon with but not on The Major stages at yet.

Making just his only and single quarter-final at a Slam which came at Roland Garros this season, the German usually falters on this enormous stage.

Having three Masters 1000 titles to his resume, Zverev does have all the potential to be at the zenith of the sport. The need of the hour is to find that fine mental stability to handle pressure situations on a stage that overwhelms the best in tennis.

What was commendable of the German at the French Open this year, was how he managed to scrape through back to back five setters before losing in the quarters to Dominic Thiem.

The 21-year-old Zverev will have to move past Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, David Goffin or Diego Schwartzman to make it till the quarters in New York.

But with Nishikori and Schwartzman both being seasoned Major campers, the fourth seed could possibly be vulnerable to an upset if he does not control proceedings from the beginning. Going with the seeding, we could safely predict the German to make it to the last eight despite the challenges on his way.

The other end of this quarter has World No.7 from Croatia, Marin Cilic opening against Marius Copil. Cilic will have a second-round clash with a lucky loser after Pablo Cuevas who was initially projected to play him in the R2 pulls out of the Major yesterday.

He could then face either Adrian Mannarino or Frances Tiafoe in the third round. Belgium’s David Goffin who is threatening to barge in with some super form could be Cilic’s opponent in the fourth round.

Goffin’s brilliant showing at the Cincinnati Masters is a testimony to the fact that the Belgian is coming back after that unfortunate eye injury in Rotterdam and how.

But even with all these dangers, I think Marin Cilic could win his quarter-final against Alexander Zverev from this quarter.

Prediction: Marin Cilic moves into the semis.