US Open 2013: Matches to look out for
Here are some of the other must watch games for the day:
John Isner (17) Vs. Gael Monfils (39):
John Isner
John Isner, unquestionably United States’ biggest hope, will be back in action at The Grandstand on Thursday. He will take on French player, Gael Monfils, in his second round encounter of his home grand slam. Isner and Mofils will be meeting for the seventh time in their career, with head to head standing at 3-3.
Both players have battled through injuries before picking up some momentum this summer. Isner’s campaigns at Wimbledon and Australian Open this year were cut short by his knee problems but he is in red hot form now. The 17th seeded American won the Atlanta title and finished runner up in both Washington and Cincinnati Masters. He is on 15-2 on hard courts this year.
Monfils had to face far worse problems throughout this season. He had to retire in the final of last week’s Winston-Salem due to abdominal strain. The World No.39 is 30-17 for the year and has struggled to win two matches in succession. But, Monfils is a big match player and you’d have to discount him at your own peril.
Isner kicked off his US Open with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 destruction of Filippo Volandri and Monfils started his campaign with 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 win over Adrian Ungur.
Pablo Andujar (55) Vs. Milos Raonic (11):
The No.11 Raonic will meet 55th ranked Pablo Andujar in his second round encounter at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Canadian Raonic won the previous encounter against his lesser ranked opponent 6-3, 6-1 at Halle, Germany.
Raonic’s run up to the tournament has been quite impressive, having won against the likes of J.M Del Porto and V. Pospisil in the hard court tournament of Montreal. He won his first round match 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 against T. Fabbiano.
Pablo Andujar, who reached the third round of the Cincinnati Open but lost to B.Becker, will fancy his chances though. He won his first round match 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 against T. De Bakker on Tuesday and will be a tricky opponent for Raonic.
Sara Errani (4) Vs. Flavia Pennetta (83):
Though the rankings show totally different story, the Italians have an interesting rivalry. The lower ranked Pennetta enjoys a 3-2 win loss ratio over her rival in their previous five meetings. But, this will be their first ever clash on hard courts.
Fourth seed Sara Errani is known to be one of the hardest working players on the WTA circuit. The 2013 French Open runner up has a strong baseline game play, which makes her extremely hard to beat. Her win loss record of 43-19 this year explains how good a player she is.
Flavia Pennetta will have to face her compatriot in her second round encounter. Her win loss ratio this year has been 17-17 so far which doesn’t promise much. But her current record over Errani will give her the mental boost on which she will try to build on today.
Maria Kirilenko (17) Vs. Michelle Larcher De Brito (117):
The World No.17 Kirilenko will take on the 117-ranked Michelle Larcher De Brito in the second round encounter. Maria Kirilenko will be wary of her opponent, who caused an upset win over Maria Sharapova at the Wimbledon earlier this year. The pair will be meeting for the first time in their career.
De Brito, a big match player, will also be better prepared for the match having played a lot of hard court tournaments in recent past. She is known to cause upsets and this will be another chance to do some damage.
Kirilenko has been on and off this season with some first round exits at Wimbledon and French Open. Her preparation was further hampered by early losses at Toronto Masters and Cincinnati Masters. She will have to pull up her socks to justify her ranking as she faces a tough lower-ranked opponent.