US Open 2015: Round of 16 Day 2 - Federer, Murray, Azarenka and Halep in fray
With four quarterfinalists already decided in both the draws, the other four will be decided on Monday. Here’s a preview of the eight matches to take place on Monday.
Men’s Draw
Roger Federer and Andy Murray are the main attractions in this half of the draw. With both readying themselves for another epic encounter, Wawrinka, Berdych and Gasquet will look to derail the two,
Stan Wawrinka (5) vs. Donald Young
Head to Head : 1-1
American Donald Young showed nerves of steel to come from two sets down in two matches, both against seeded players, to reach the fourth round for the second time in his career. Before being downed by Andy Murray in the fourth round in 2011, he ended the runs of two seeded player in his section. The higher-ranked of the two was Stanislas Wawrinka, his opponent in the fourth round this year, now with a higher ranking and a shorter first name.
The Swiss two-time major champion made his way to this stage without losing sets, but only after playing some tight matches against unseeded opponents. Young now possesses the ability to unsettle Wawrinka, but another upset might be too much to expect from the American.
Prediction : Stan Wawrinka to win
Kevin Anderson (15) vs. Andy Murray (3)
Head to Head : 1-5
Seven losses and no wins. That’s Kevin Anderson’s record in the fourth round of grand slams. Anderson managed a five setter against Djokovic at Wimbledon this year. A quest that started at the 2013 Australian Open still continues.
Standing in between him and a quarterfinal spot is the third seed Andy Murray. The Scot returned to the No. 2 spot after his victory at the Rogers Cup, only to be unseated the next week by Cincinnati Masters winner Roger Federer.
With the Scot and the Swiss the only players to defeat top-seeded Djokovic post his Wimbledon win in back-to-back masters finals, both will be eager to grab the final spot from the bottom half of the draw. In this situation, Murray, with his strong return game, might not give the South African any chance to win the match.
Prediction : Andy Murray to win
Tomas Berdych (6) vs. Richard Gasquet (12)
Head to Head : 6-6
Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet face each other in what could be the most balanced match among all the round of 16 clashes. Both have played some tight sets, but managed to win their matches to continue the quest for a maiden grand slam title.
They have won six matches each against each other, with the Czech winning the last three matches in a row. After his upset of Wawrinka and a semifinal showing at Wimbledon this year, Gasquet seems to be in good form.
The two will give it all for a spot in the quarters, with Federer being the likely opponent, in what could be a blockbuster of a match come Monday. With compatriots Tsonga and Simon beating the Czech in the last two majors at the same stage, this might be Gasquet’s chance to continue the trend.
Prediction : Richard Gasquet to win
John Isner (13) vs. Roger Federer (2)
Head to Head : 1-4
Roger Federer is undoubtedly on a roll this hard court season. After the victory on the fast courts of Cincinnati, Federer has shown little discomfort in the first week at Flushing Meadows. He could be heading for a win at this event, thereby ending his title drought at Grand Slams since Wimbledon 2012. All his wins have been in straight sets so far, with opponents winning no more than four games in a set. He has dropped no sets and lost his serve only in the third round, which was the first since his Wimbledon final loss.
John Isner has played some good matches in the last two months to earn a title, a runner-up finish and a few other good results. Continuing his trend, the top-ranked American also lost little in the matches played so far. Having averted a fourth consecutive match against Kohlschreiber at his home slam, he now faces the German’s conqueror. He might not face another loss against the German, but Federer is in no way an easier opponent. A quarterfinalist here in 2011, Isner might not reach the last eight again this year.
Prediction : Roger Federer to win in straight sets
Women’s Draw
With Serena in the top half of the draw, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and Simoha Halep will be the major contenders in this half. Former champion Samantha Stosur, Flavia Pennetta and Sabine Lisicki will also look to book their last eight spots this year.
Petra Kvitova (5) vs. Johanna Konta (Q)
Head to Head : First meeting
Czech Republic’s former world no.2 Petra Kvitova is in fine form this year at Flushing Meadows. Having been handed a decent draw, she looks to make it to the last eight stage of the US open for the first time in her career (she has reached the semifinals or better at the other majors). After easy straight sets wins in the first three rounds, she faces tricky qualifier Johanna Konta in the next round.
Konta, like fellow qualifier Anett Kontaveit, won her first match at a major only this week, but is already through to the round of 16. After upsetting a lackluster Garbine Muguruza, who was the runner-up at Wimbledon this year, she caused another upset against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic. Though she could trouble Kvitova, it might not be enough to stop the Czech from progressing further in the bottom half of the draw, where she is one of the firm favourites to clinch the final spot.
Prediction : Petra Kvitova to win in straight sets
Samantha Stosur (22) vs. Flavia Pennetta (26)
Head to Head : 0-6
Flavia Pennetta and Samantha Stosur will meet each other in a mouthwatering clash on Monday. In what could be the most interesting match on the women’s side, the two will fight to play another match at the major where they have had their best results.
Former champion Stosur had easy wins in the first two rounds. In the third, she suppressed the challenge from Pennetta’s doubles partner and former semifinalist Sara Errani. Pennetta did not face any higher ranked opponent with the ouster of last year’s runner-up Caroline Wozniacki.
The match could be a close one to call, but the Italian has the advantage of beating the Australian in all their six meetings. Though seeded low, the winner of this match could emerge as a dark horse spoil the chances of Kvitova, Azarenka and Halep, all of whom figure in the bottom half of the draw.
Prediction : Flavia Pennetta to win in three sets
Varvara Lepchenko vs. Victoria Azarenka (20)
Head to Head : 0-3
Reaching the fourth round of her home slam for the first time, American Varvara Lepchenko has a daunting task ahead of her. She faces former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the next round. On her way to this stage, she scored wins over Kirsten Flipkens, Lesia Tsurenko and Mona Barthel, all quality opponents.
For Azarenka, the toughest hurdle was Angelique Kerber. After overcoming the German in an epic encounter on Saturday and gunning for a third title clash against Serena Williams, the Belarussian might not be deterred by the American’s tactics.
Prediction : Victoria Azarenka to win in straight sets
Sabine Lisicki (24) vs. Simona Halep (2)
Head to Head : 1-3
The winner of this match will make it to the last eight stage at the US Open for the first time in her career. Finally regaining some of her form from last year, Simona Halep looks to make a deep run at Flushing Meadows for the first time. Her matches so far have been simple, straight set affairs.
Her next one might not be similar though. Former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki will look to pull off an upset when she faces the Romanian. Even though the German might not be favoured win the match, she will surely give Halep some trouble.
Prediction : Simona Halep to win in three sets