Andrey Rublev vs Francis Tiafoe Pick

9.7.2022

Karter Baughan

Andrey Rublev -127 vs Francis Tiafoe +104

Francis Tiafoe is coming off the biggest win of his career against 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal in the Round of 16. He has been nothing short of incredible throughout this year's US Open. He has only dropped one set, which was against Nadal's last match. This is the Tiafoe we all knew was possible, and it is fantastic to see it all coming together. Also, on a somewhat unrelated note, this story coming out after the Nadal match is incredible.

If you don’t know Frances Tiafoe’s tennis origin story, you should.

From sleeping in a spare room at the Maryland tennis center where his father was a maintenance man, all the way to the #USOpen quarterfinals.

By @lizclarketweet in 2014:https://t.co/7nUiCwa0bq
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 5, 2022

On the other side, Andrey Rublev has had a roller coaster US Open so far. He squeaked out a win in the first Round to Laslo Dere in five brutal sets, then an easy match versus Kwon, another tight match against Dennis Shapovalov, and then he dominated rising star Cameron Norrie in straight sets. We saw Rublev hit some incredible shots in his match against Norrie and play some of the best tennis we have ever seen from him.

Can’t spell accountability without cAmeron Norrie. Still will never bet tennis again https://t.co/tknQbKrvl3
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 5, 2022

Pick: Francis Tiafoe ML +104

Frances Tiafoe of USA reacts during 4th round of US Open Championships against Rafael Nadal of Spain at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center... — *(Photo by Lev Radin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)*

There is a slight hesitancy to this pick due to a potential letdown spot for Tiafoe after winning that massive match against Nadal. But the same could be said for Rublev. He's coming off a huge win against one of the hottest players in the world right now in Cameron Norrie as well, so both players will be in a letdown spot. Rublev has shown the ability to be shaky in this tournament. Meanwhile, Tiafoe has been playing lights out. Lastly, a significant factor in this one is that the home crowd will be a massive advantage for the Americans.

‍