US Open 2012: Day 10 Preview
September 5, 2012 · Print This Article
by: Tom Cochrane
Rain wreaked havoc on the schedule of play for Day 9 at the US Open, forcing the majority of matches to be suspended or cancelled. Let’s hope for some better weather on Day 10 as tournament organisers try to play catch-up on the backlog of matches.
Day 9 Recap
Victoria Azarenka and Sam Stosur managed to get their quarter-final clash completed despite a couple of rain delays, with the top seed coming out on top in a thrilling encounter. Defending champion Stosur was all over the place in the opening set, a rash of unforced errors assisting Azarenka on her way to a 6-1 win.
But the world number one dropped serve early in the second set and that gave Stosur the hope she needed, as the Aussie’s big forehand started firing and she collected the second set, 6-4. The third set went down to the wire, Stosur coming back from 4-0 down in the decisive tiebreaker to level it at 5-all before Azarenka won the next 2 points to seal a fantastic win, 6-1 4-6 7-6 (7-5).
The only men’s match to be completed on Day 9 was the round of 16 showdown between fourth seed David Ferrer and Frenchman Richard Gasquet. In a match that took around 3 hours of court time but which took nearly 8 hours to complete including rain delays, Ferrer was too strong for the thirteenth seeded Gasquet, taking the match in 3 sets, 7-5 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.
Matches of the Day – Day 10
1. Andy Murray vs. Marin Cilic
Andy Murray looked extremely focused in his previous clash against Milos Raonic, the third seed not giving the big Canadian any openings during the match. Murray will again need to be sharp against Cilic, who beat him here at Flushing Meadows a few years ago.
Murray defeated Cilic en route to the Wimbledon final earlier this year, but the Croat is much more comfortable on the New York hard-courts than he is on the grass-courts of the All England Club, so look for this to be a tougher affair for Murray. I liked what I saw from Murray against Raonic, so I’ll back the Scot to progress. Murray in 4.
2. Roger Federer vs. Tomas Berdych
Roger Federer has a commanding lead in career meetings with Tomas Berdych, however the Czech and the Swiss have split their last 6 matches – something which will give the sixth seeded Berdych some cause for optimism heading into this duel. Federer didn’t lift a racquet in the previous round, progressing when Mardy Fish withdrew from their scheduled match for health reasons. As a result, Federer will be fresh heading into this match, but may also be a little rusty, having not played a proper match for several days.
As always, Berdych has the potential to beat the world’s very best, including Federer, but it really comes down to how well the Czech star can execute on the big points. Federer has far more experience at the business end of Grand Slams and almost always forces his opponents to play very well to beat him – the top seed rarely throws matches away. This should be a cracking match, but the form guide in 2012 suggests another win for the world number one. Federer in 4.
3. Ana Ivanovic vs. Serena Williams
Former world number one and French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has continued her career revival in New York, as the Serb looks to re-establish her position in the world’s top 10. Ivanovic showed great heart to fend off the challenge of Sloane Stephens in the previous round, a rising American star whom Serena Williams is mentoring.
Ivanovic has nothing to lose in this match, with Williams being the red-hot favourite. Accordingly, the Serb should go for her shots and look to finish points with her dynamic forehand. However, fresh off a double bagel win in her last match, I think Serena will be the overwhelming favourite to win. Williams in 2.
4. Sara Errani vs. Roberta Vinci
Whoever wins this all-Italian clash between doubles partners Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci will become the first Italian through to the semi-finals of the US Open singles, so it should be another great day for Italian tennis regardless of who claims victory.
Errani has been more prominent on the WTA Tour this year, bagging a handful of clay-court titles and making a spectacular run to the French Open final in Paris. But the 28 year old Vinci is a very capable singles player as well, possessing a vintage all-court game complete with slice backhand and solid volleys.
I’ll back Errani on the basis of her more consistent singles play throughout the year, but no doubt it will be a difficult match for both players to endure. Errani in 3.
That’s it for today. Enjoy the tennis and I’ll be back with another serve tomorrow.
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