So far this year’s U.S. Open, aside from Victoria Azarenka collapsing on court and Andy Roddick’s foot fault tirade, has been rather routine. Sure, some upsets here have gone down but nothing out of the ordinary. All of the top seeds on both sides have advanced more or less into the fourth round. And even though No. 4 seed Jelena Jankovic lost to Kaia Kanepi today, I’m sure not that many were surprised considering the lackluster summer Jankovic has had. Throw in what could have been the feel good story of Ryan Harrison making it into the third round getting thrown out the window with his loss yesterday, and we have the makings of a U.S. Open that might finally get interesting next weekend. That’s why some key blockbuster fourth round matchups this Labor Day weekend could decide who shows up then. So let’s look at them now.
Ana Ivanovic vs. Kim Clijsters.
We could have had a sense of this matchup a few weeks ago in Cincinnati had Ivanovic not hurt her foot forcing her to retire early in her semifinal vs. Clijsters. Clijsters went on to win the event but despite getting through Petra Kvitova in the last round after a slow start, many still question if Clijsters is playing well enough to take out the resurgent Ivanovic. I think Clijsters is playing at a higher level than Ivanovic who still needs confident fist pumps on every point to fuel her through a match. Ivanovic can certainly hurt Clijsters, especially on her forehand side, but if Clijsters can weather the storm of Ana’s forehand and force the Serb to grind it out, Clijsters should prevail in two tight sets.
Maria Sharapova vs. Caroline Wozniacki
For many, this is the “final” in the women’s draw despite it being a fourth round match. Even though she’s seeded 14th, Sharapova in the eyes of many is the prohibitive favorite to win her second U.S. Open title as Serena Williams is not in the mix. Sharapova could certainly do it, but she will have to get through Wozniacki who’s playing some of the best tennis this summer. The question for Wozniacki, who certainly excels at counterpunching, is if she can take it to Sharapova on the big points when in the past she’s been overwhelmed by players who can overpower her from the baseline. My sense is that Sharapova, after all the injuries and near-misses in recent Slams is ready to reassert herself at the top of the game. Wozniacki could do it, but I think Maria’s power and poise will see her through in three sets.
Richard Gasquet vs. Gael Monfils.
This all French fourth round encounter could be the most exciting match yet at the U.S. Open. And not just for the exciting all-court play both men deliver. With Jo-Wilfried Tsonga not playing this September, Monfils and Gasquet have a real chance to prove they still should be considered France’s best player. Gasquet, who is still trying to work his way back up the ranks after his brief suspension last year, will take on Monfils whose flashy, athletic style seems to suit the hard courts better than any surface. At a head-to-head record of two and two, both men know the importance reaching a quarterfinal could mean for the rest of their careers. This will all boil down to who wants it more and my feeling is that Gasquet, who has yet to drop a set, knows that a win here would put his name back in the mix. Monfils could slice and dice his way to a win, but I think the steadier Gasquet takes this one in five sets.
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