Greg Rusedski has suggested that Iga Swiatek is being hindered by an ongoing “scar tissue” problem, while also arguing that it remains sensible for her to continue working with Francisco Roig.

Swiatek arrived at the US Open with momentum after lifting the Canadian Open trophy and making a strong run in Cincinnati. That optimism seemed justified when she opened her campaign without dropping a set in her first three matches. She then surged to a 5-0 lead against former Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng and appeared set for the quarter-finals.

Instead, the match turned sharply. Zheng won seven games in a row and went on to beat the out-of-form eighth seed 7-5, 6-3 in the fourth round.

Asked whether the setback reflected a mental problem, Swiatek said, “I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with mentality. It was more that I started making mistakes from easy balls, and Qinwen stopped making mistakes. She played the balls better.” She later described the defeat as “just one match”.

Rusedski is not convinced the issue is so easily dismissed. The former US Open finalist pointed to Swiatek’s form either side of her 2025 Wimbledon title as a concern, with the six-time major champion now sitting ninth in the rankings.

On Off Court, Rusedski said, “The s ummer started well for her, w inning in Canada, that was a big step forward, playing some great tennis. Everybody’s thinking, ‘Iga’s form was looking really good at the US Open’.

“So it’s about confidence. It’s about belief. That wouldn’t happen to her when she was the very best in the world. And unfortunately, the older we get, we get something called scar tissue and our mind gets away and sometimes we don’t find a way to stop this when momentum shifts.

“S o when you’re up 5-0 up and you lose seven games in a row, you’re not being able to either put your opponent off, find a way to lift your game, or use your coaching team to find a way to work it out.

“S he went with Francisco Roig, they didn’t get off to the best start when the relationship started (in April). It looked like this summer was getting better and they’re still feeling each other out on how they work.

“T his is another test for them because she needs to find a way to break that cycle. Roig’ s a great coach. She’s decided she’s going to continue on that partnership, she’s going to move forward.”

Rusedski added that the decision to stay together should be viewed positively and said Swiatek may need time to settle into the partnership before finding her rhythm again.

The men’s draw at this year’s US Open has produced an unexpected final eight, with several leading names already out of the tournament much earlier than many had projected. Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the opening round, while Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, and Lorenzo Musetti all exited in the following round.

Carlos Alcaraz’s return from a wrist injury has drawn plenty of attention, but the tournament has also delivered a notable result for American men’s tennis on home soil. Three Americans have reached the quarter-finals, even though Taylor Fritz, Learner Tien, and Tommy Paul are not among them.

Here are Tennis365’s official predictions for all four men’s quarter-final matches at this year’s US Open.

Alexander Zverev vs Botic van de Zandschulp

Alexander Zverev has put together an impressive season and has repeatedly benefited from injuries and below-par form among top seeds. The German lifted his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year, after Djokovic went out early and Alcaraz withdrew.

Zverev has looked less secure in New York. He needed five sets to defeat Lorenzo Sonego and Quentin Halys in his first two matches, before producing straight-sets wins over Alejandro Tabilo and Luciano Darderi.

Van de Zandschulp has reached his second Grand Slam quarter-final by beating Jan Choinski, de Minaur, Zizou Bergs, and Arthur Gea.

Prediction: Zverev will have too much for the Dutchman and should progress in straight sets.

Karen Khachanov vs Alexander Blockx

Few would have expected Karen Khachanov and Alexander Blockx to be in this round, yet both have impressed. Khachanov arrived having lost three matches in a row, but he has beaten Felix Auger-Aliassime and Learner Tien.

Blockx has defeated Flavio Cobolli and Francisco Cerundolo, though injury concerns remain. He said he was close to retiring in his round of 16 match with Cerundolo.

Prediction: Khachanov is the clear pick, although Blockx’s physical condition could decide matters before the match is finished.

Frances Tiafoe vs Alex Michelsen

An all-American quarter-final was possible, but this pairing would still have been difficult to predict. Tiafoe is the more established name at this stage, having reached the semi-finals in 2022 and 2024.

Michelsen, however, is on his best run at a Grand Slam and remains the only player in the men’s draw not to lose a set on the way to the quarter-finals. He has also taken advantage of an opening section of the draw that offered limited resistance, with only two seeded opponents and none from the top 15 of the ATP Tour rankings.

Prediction: Tiafoe should win, but Michelsen is likely to make him work hard for it.

Ben Shelton vs Carlos Alcaraz

The standout match of the round is Shelton against Alcaraz. It is the highest-ranked quarter-final by combined rankings, and Alcaraz’s lack of match fitness after his wrist injury gives Shelton some hope.

That said, Shelton has never beaten Alcaraz, losing all three of their previous meetings. He has, however, handled his own path well, defeating Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov, and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Prediction: Shelton’s serving should be enough to carry him through, with Alcaraz still building after four and a half months away.

Alexandra Eala has opted to represent the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games instead of entering the China Open, the penultimate Masters event on the WTA Tour calendar.

Speaking at the US Open, Eala explained that competing for her country was the deciding factor. “Before that, I believe I’ll be in Singapore. But yeah, I love playing and competing with the Philippine team,” said Eala at the US Open of her decision to play the Asian Games.

She added: “You know, the SEA games, the Asian Games I’ve also done. I think it’s a really fun environment and I love being with the team especially this last SEA games in December.

“I had such a great time and I think they’re really memories that stick with me and and, you know, the Asian Games happens once every four years and I just found myself drawn to competing in that aside from other stuff.”

Eala’s choice may leave her facing a WTA Tour fine, since Masters events are mandatory if a player is not injured. Even so, her commitment to the event is now settled, and the Philippine Tennis Association has confirmed the lineup for the tournament.

She will be joined by Francis Casey Alcantara, Shaira Hope Rivera, Tennielle Madis, and Stefi Marithe Aludo. The 21-year-old is the leading name in the group, but the rest of the squad also brings experience representing the Philippines on major stages.

Alcantara has won nine medals for the Philippines across the SEA Games and the Asian Games, despite never getting inside the ATP top 700. Rivera has claimed a SEA Games bronze, has played in Billie Jean King Cup competition, and collected two bronze medals at the 2025 SEA Games. The 19-year-old also appeared at the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open earlier this year, where she lost to Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round of the WTA 125 event.

Stefi Marithe Aludo, 17, is the youngest member of the team. She played qualifying at the Philippine Women’s Open, but fell in the final round.

In a press release, PHILTA Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said: “PHILTA is fielding a strong and competitive team for the Asian Games, led by Alex Eala alongside some of the country’s best tennis players.”

The Asian Games run from 19 September to 4 October, with tennis beginning on 27 September. That date also matches the Singapore Open, where Eala is scheduled to play, leaving her with a rapid turnaround if she reaches the final.