US Open 2013 Day 8 preview
1. Roger Federer vs Tommy Robredo
Head to Head Statistics:
Match Winner
Sydney ATP (2002) R. Federer 7-6(5), 7-6(5)
Vienna ATP (2002) R. Federer 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4
Rome Masters (2003) R. Federer 6-1, 6-1
Montreal Masters (2003) R. Federer 6-4, 6-3
Dubai Open (2004) R. Federer 6-3, 6-4
Hamburg Masters (2005) R. Federer 6-2, 6-3
Australian Open (2007) R. Federer 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5
French Open (2007) R. Federer 7-5, 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
US Open (2009) R. Federer 7-5, 6-2, 6-2
Australian Open (2011) R. Federer 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Roger Federer has looked to be in very good touch so far in this year’s edition of the US Open. Federer is undoubtedly one of the best players in the history of the game. The Swiss legend has been struggling to find his best form, but even so he is always a dangerous opponent for anyone in the court on any given day.
Federer has displayed good quality of tennis for which he is known for, in his previous matches. It would not be wrong to say that he has dominated in all his previous three matches. He has not dropped any set until now and this is a worrying sign for Tommy Robredo, Federer’s opponent in the fourth round.
The Spaniard has faced Federer ten times in the past but adding to his disadvantage is the fact that he has lost to the Swiss in all those previous encounters, including a three-set loss at the US Open in 2009.
Robredo is having a good season and the World No. 22 has had a decent run in the Open so far. He might have had a comparatively easy draw in the initial rounds, but to his disappointment, he has not looked convincing, having dropped a set each in the first and the third round.
There’s no doubt that Federer will be the top favourites to advance to the quarters. However, Robredo too is a talented player and he cannot be totally ruled out, but one look at their past records and their current forms suggests that the odds are very much in favour of the five time US Open champion.
2. Victoria Azarenka vs Ana Ivanovic
Head to Head Statistics:
Matches Winner
French Open (2009) V. Azarenka 6-2, 6-3
Rome Masters (2010) A. Ivanovic 6-4, 6-4
Western and Southern Group Open (2010) A. Ivanovic 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
Madrid Open (2012) V. Azarenka 6-4, 6-4
Wimbledon (2012) V. Azarenka 6-1, 6-0
Carlsbad Open (2013) V. Azarenka 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
Former World No.1 Ana Ivanovic is set to clash with the reigning Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the fourth round match of the US Open.
The two have met six times in the past, but this will be their first clash at the Flushing Meadows. If we go by the head-to-head statistics, Azarenka has the edge over her Serbian opponent Ivanovic with a 4-2 margin. Also, the fact that the Belarusian has dominated in their encounters in the last three years indicates that the Azarenka is the favourite.
Both Azarenka and Ivanovic are highly talented players, but going by their recent performances, the former is enjoying a better run of form. Being a finalist in the last year’s edition, Azarenka is expected to go all the way through this time. Moreover, her recent performances in the hard court which includes winning twice over Serena Williams is a clear indicator that she will be a really tough competitor.
As far as Ivanovic is concerned, she has the talent and the ability to beat anyone, but in the recent times, she has been inconsistent. She almost lost to Christina McHale in the previous match, but the way she fought back and turned the match around to ultimately enter the fourth round showed what she can do if she gets going.