Roberta Vinci (10) vs. Flavia Pennetta
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| Flavia Pennetta (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Daniela Hantuchova vs. Victoria Azarenka (2)
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| DANIELA HANTUCHOVA (Photo credit: NAPARAZZI) |
Showing posts with label Alison Riske. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alison Riske. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
US Open Women's Quarterfinals Bottom Half preview
After Serena Williams and Li Na booked a semifinal against each other in contrasting fashion, the remaining quarterfinalists in the women's draw take to the court on Wednesday in an attempt to reach the final four at the US Open.
Roberta Vinci (10) vs. Flavia Pennetta
This match pits two Italian veterans and very good friends against each other. This is far from a plucky run through the draw, as both Vinci and Pennetta have played some excellent tennis to reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows yet again. In the previous round Vinci was comfortable transferring the onus to attack against the inexperienced Camila Giorgi, and benefitted from her young compatriot making a high amount of unforced errors. Pennetta however is capable of finding the lines with more accuracy and consistency, and if Vinci continues to play a tentative game, she will be vulnerable to getting overpowered. Vinci's best chance lies in Pennetta having an off day on the first serve, as her second serve is extremely weak, although even then the tenth seed does not have the game to aggressively take balls on the rise. The two haven't played each other since 2010, and their matches are often cagey. The first set is going to be crucial, and if Pennetta can set the tempo by regularly coming to the net, she should see off Vinci.
Daniela Hantuchova vs. Victoria Azarenka (2)
While Azarenka's place in the quarterfinals is hardly a surprise, not many would have predicted Hantuchova to reach this far in the tournament. That the Slovak has had made it this far is largely down to a fantastic first serve that has held firm in defining moments. Having won 61% of her first serve points in her third round match against the Israeli Julia Glushko, Hantuchova stepped it up another notch against Alison Riske in the round of 16, winning 81% of her first serve points, including 15 aces. Azarenka goes into the match on the back of two unconvincing performances. If Ana Ivanovic could have controlled her demons while serving, Azarenka could well have lost a thrilling fourth round match. Azarenka is also committing a high number of errors off her backhand, and that she is still managing to pull through with victories is a testament to her improved mental toughness. If I would have written a preview for this match a week ago, I would have had Azarenka nailed on to win in straight sets. However, the Belorussian has seen a dip in form coinciding with the crafty Hantuchova's increased confidence, and I have a strong feeling the pair are going to engage in their third successive three-setter. Hantuchova has to continue to serve well, and she might have a chance if Azarenka continues to play erratically from the baseline. When push comes to shove though, I do believe Azarenka will edge it out due to her better ability to handle pressure coupled with a desire to reach another US Open final.
Roberta Vinci (10) vs. Flavia Pennetta
Daniela Hantuchova vs. Victoria Azarenka (2)
Sunday, September 1, 2013
US Open Women's Round of 16 Bottom Half preview
With four places in the quarterfinals up for grabs, the bottom half of the women's draw complete the round of 16 on Labour Day.
Camila Giorgi vs. Roberta Vinci (10)
A match between two Italian counterparts. While Vinci has been consistent since the middle of last season, Giorgi has been a revelation during the first week. Seeded 26 in the qualifiers for the US Open, the 21-year old put in the performance of her life in beating Caroline Wozniaki in the last round. Giorgi hit winners off both wings, and was extremely aggressive. It is generally difficult for a qualifier to maintain the same standard to follow up an upset, and now that she is in the spotlight, she might not play with the same carefree approach either. Vinci's greater experience and tactical variety should see her through, while her excellent touch at net will not allow Giorgi to dominate from the baseline. Giorgi's time will come, but for now Vinci will seal her place in the quarterfinals of the US Open for the second straight year.
Simona Halep (21) vs. Flavia Pennetta
This is potentially an excellent match-up that will fly under the radar. Halep has been one of the form players this year, and she has maintained her consistency at Flushing Meadows. The Romanian is adept at moving her opponents around, and significantly doesn't delay coming forward to finish points when the opportunity presents itself. Flavia Pennetta loves playing in New York, and the three-time quarterfinalist has been in fine fettle this year. On closer introspection, Pennetta's game isn't that different from Halep's, and this match has the potential to go three sets. The Italian has the edge on experience, however Halep has a stronger serve and that just might make the difference during the big moments.
Alison Riske vs. Daniela Hantuchova
Riske is the feel good story on the women's side, reaching the round of 16 after obtaining a wildcard to enter the main draw. Her dismantling of Petra Kvitova in the last round had many questioning if the roles of grand slam champion and wildcard had been reversed. After a decent run to the third round of Wimbledon, I wasn't expecting to hear much of Riske for the rest of the year. However, the American has confounded many critics, and she certainly has a shot against the Slovakian Hantuchova, who while possessing the greater experience, can falter in the face of the crowd's raucous support for the home favourite and underdog. Riske has the bigger shots, and against an opponent who suffered a physically exhausting three-setter in the last round, it might be enough to progress and seal a dream quarterfinal appearance.
Ana Ivanovic (13) vs. Victoria Azarenka (2)
A match between two former world number one's, though of course Azarenka is still in the equation to regain that ranking, while Ivanovic is trying her best to crack the top ten again. Both players also struggled in the last round before prevailing in three sets. Azarenka stepped up her game considerably after losing the first set against Alize Cornet, but Ivanovic was lucky to escape after Christina McHale served for the match in the second set. Ivanovic was guilty of being too passive against McHale, and she will be inviting trouble against Azarenka if she persists with the same approach. To stay competitive, Ivanovic's best bet would be to redirect Azarenka's fearsome baseline shots diagonally, but even then it's hard to see Azarenka struggle too much unless she commits a barrage of errors. The world number two should win and get her bid for the US Open back on track after a stumble in the third round.
Camila Giorgi vs. Roberta Vinci (10)
A match between two Italian counterparts. While Vinci has been consistent since the middle of last season, Giorgi has been a revelation during the first week. Seeded 26 in the qualifiers for the US Open, the 21-year old put in the performance of her life in beating Caroline Wozniaki in the last round. Giorgi hit winners off both wings, and was extremely aggressive. It is generally difficult for a qualifier to maintain the same standard to follow up an upset, and now that she is in the spotlight, she might not play with the same carefree approach either. Vinci's greater experience and tactical variety should see her through, while her excellent touch at net will not allow Giorgi to dominate from the baseline. Giorgi's time will come, but for now Vinci will seal her place in the quarterfinals of the US Open for the second straight year.
Simona Halep (21) vs. Flavia Pennetta
This is potentially an excellent match-up that will fly under the radar. Halep has been one of the form players this year, and she has maintained her consistency at Flushing Meadows. The Romanian is adept at moving her opponents around, and significantly doesn't delay coming forward to finish points when the opportunity presents itself. Flavia Pennetta loves playing in New York, and the three-time quarterfinalist has been in fine fettle this year. On closer introspection, Pennetta's game isn't that different from Halep's, and this match has the potential to go three sets. The Italian has the edge on experience, however Halep has a stronger serve and that just might make the difference during the big moments.
Alison Riske vs. Daniela Hantuchova
Riske is the feel good story on the women's side, reaching the round of 16 after obtaining a wildcard to enter the main draw. Her dismantling of Petra Kvitova in the last round had many questioning if the roles of grand slam champion and wildcard had been reversed. After a decent run to the third round of Wimbledon, I wasn't expecting to hear much of Riske for the rest of the year. However, the American has confounded many critics, and she certainly has a shot against the Slovakian Hantuchova, who while possessing the greater experience, can falter in the face of the crowd's raucous support for the home favourite and underdog. Riske has the bigger shots, and against an opponent who suffered a physically exhausting three-setter in the last round, it might be enough to progress and seal a dream quarterfinal appearance.
Ana Ivanovic (13) vs. Victoria Azarenka (2)
A match between two former world number one's, though of course Azarenka is still in the equation to regain that ranking, while Ivanovic is trying her best to crack the top ten again. Both players also struggled in the last round before prevailing in three sets. Azarenka stepped up her game considerably after losing the first set against Alize Cornet, but Ivanovic was lucky to escape after Christina McHale served for the match in the second set. Ivanovic was guilty of being too passive against McHale, and she will be inviting trouble against Azarenka if she persists with the same approach. To stay competitive, Ivanovic's best bet would be to redirect Azarenka's fearsome baseline shots diagonally, but even then it's hard to see Azarenka struggle too much unless she commits a barrage of errors. The world number two should win and get her bid for the US Open back on track after a stumble in the third round.
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