Sunday, September 4, 2011
Sam Stosur can’t help making things difficult for herself.
Less than 48 hours after winning her third round match - the longest women’s match in US Open history (3 hours, 16 minutes) - the Australian outlasted the Russian challenger Maria Kirilenko in a match that began as blowout and turned into a nailbiter, 6-2, 6-7 (15), 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. This time the match only went 2 hours, 48 minutes.
The encounter had displaced from Arthur Ashe Stadium as the day session threatened to go long, with the match finally beginning more than three hours later than expected on a much smaller stage, the Grandstand. In the first set, Stosur, the No. 9 seed, played like she was mad at the scheduling committee. In a display of raw aggression, she roared to a 5-0 lead in just 17 minutes with a barrage of rocketed baseline winners.
The onslaught left Kirilenko looking hapless and stunned at the baseline.
Stosur playing instinctively, and with no time to consider alternatives – just teeing it up and letting it fly – is a scary sight.
However, the Australian, the 2010 French Open finalist, is as well known for her streakiness and inability to close as she is her ferocious forehand and wicked serve - those shakier qualities crept in at the tail end of the first set and beginning of the second, as Kirilenko twice broke Stosur’s serve to stall her higher-ranked opponent’s momentum.
The second set suddenly turned into an extremely well played and exciting dogfight, with both players trading breaks of serve and taking major risks on their groundstrokes. Kirilenko, an accomplished doubles player, valiantly changed her game plan and sneaked into the net to knock off volleys, scrapping her way back into the match.
A razor’s edge tiebreak decided the second set, with the advantage handed back and forth: Kirilenko had six set points and Stosur five match points. Several overrules and Chase Reviews only heightened the drama, inciting an already boisterous crowd dancing in the aisles. Kirilenko finally took the breaker, 17 points to 15, and the second set.
Deep in the final set - a point where she’s folded in the past - Stosur maintained her nerve and continued to crunch bold winners. She broke Kirilenko’s serve for the seventh time to confidently close out the match.
Asked how she held it together after letting those five match points in the second-set tiebreak slip from her grasp, Stosur said matter-of-factly, “I just kept telling myself, okay, play another set.”
Less than 48 hours after winning her third round match - the longest women’s match in US Open history (3 hours, 16 minutes) - the Australian outlasted the Russian challenger Maria Kirilenko in a match that began as blowout and turned into a nailbiter, 6-2, 6-7 (15), 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. This time the match only went 2 hours, 48 minutes.
The encounter had displaced from Arthur Ashe Stadium as the day session threatened to go long, with the match finally beginning more than three hours later than expected on a much smaller stage, the Grandstand. In the first set, Stosur, the No. 9 seed, played like she was mad at the scheduling committee. In a display of raw aggression, she roared to a 5-0 lead in just 17 minutes with a barrage of rocketed baseline winners.
The onslaught left Kirilenko looking hapless and stunned at the baseline.
Stosur playing instinctively, and with no time to consider alternatives – just teeing it up and letting it fly – is a scary sight.
However, the Australian, the 2010 French Open finalist, is as well known for her streakiness and inability to close as she is her ferocious forehand and wicked serve - those shakier qualities crept in at the tail end of the first set and beginning of the second, as Kirilenko twice broke Stosur’s serve to stall her higher-ranked opponent’s momentum.
The second set suddenly turned into an extremely well played and exciting dogfight, with both players trading breaks of serve and taking major risks on their groundstrokes. Kirilenko, an accomplished doubles player, valiantly changed her game plan and sneaked into the net to knock off volleys, scrapping her way back into the match.
A razor’s edge tiebreak decided the second set, with the advantage handed back and forth: Kirilenko had six set points and Stosur five match points. Several overrules and Chase Reviews only heightened the drama, inciting an already boisterous crowd dancing in the aisles. Kirilenko finally took the breaker, 17 points to 15, and the second set.
Deep in the final set - a point where she’s folded in the past - Stosur maintained her nerve and continued to crunch bold winners. She broke Kirilenko’s serve for the seventh time to confidently close out the match.
Asked how she held it together after letting those five match points in the second-set tiebreak slip from her grasp, Stosur said matter-of-factly, “I just kept telling myself, okay, play another set.”
Match Facts
- Kirilenko converted just three breaks in the match on six opportunities.- Stosur was 16 of 22 (73%) on net approaches for the match.
- The second set took 84 minutes to complete, but surprisingly was not the longest of the day - that honor went to the 91-minute second set between Shuai Peng and Flavia Pennetta.
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| Maria Kirilenko RUS (25) | 2 | 717 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Samantha Stosur AUS (9) |  | 6 | 615 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
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Day 8 Picks
Sunday, September 4, 2011
MEN'S DRAW
8-MARDY FISH vs. 11-JO WILFRIED TSONGA
Well now, this is about as tough of a pick as it gets as both men have been playing very well this summer - both serve and volley with force and both believe they have good shots at Roger Federer should they meet him in the quarters. Really, there isn't much between these guys except that Fish has better backhand and Tsonga the better forehand, and Tsonga is little faster while Fish has better eyes in the return game.
Amazingly, the 29-year-old American and the 26-year-old Frenchman have never played despite the fact that they have both been reasonable factors for the past four years. Because of that there will be some elements of surprise here; because although their scouting reports on each other run the length of Bud Collins' Tennis Encyclopedia, it's much different to go on court and bat back the other man's shots than it is to read about him or watch him on video tape.
The key for Fish will be to serve more proficiently than he has in his first three matches, not get pushed off the baseline and try and take advantage of every second serve. The key for Tsonga will be to get as many returns in play as possible, try to find ways into Fish's weaker forehand side and take care of his volleys. Even though my gut has failed me time and time again, I'll take Fish in four sets - not just because he's an American, but because I believe he's played a better brand of hard-court tennis all year long.
I really thought that Nikolay Davydenko would take at least a set off of NOVAK DJOKOVIC on Sunday night - while he played him tough for two sets, he failed to do so. Even though I like young ALEXANDR DOLGOPOLOV's potential - how he can produce wicked sidespin with his backhand, how he can flatten out his forehand and the touch he has on his drop shots - I just cannot see him taking a set off the No. 1. He'll play him tough for while, but his second serve is weak and the Serbian will climb all over it. Djokovic is not the type of player who can be easily tricked into making a slew of unforced errors when he's feeling super-confident like he's been this whole year. The positive for Dolgopolov is he can mix up his attack and change speeds - which is a much better way to play Djokovic than trying to play power ball with him - but the Ukranian just a little too inconsistent to pull an upset. Maybe next year, but not now.
If the more-powerful Marin Cilic couldn't take ROGER FEDERER to five sets in the last round, what chance does JUAN MONACO have? Between "slim" and "the narrow space in between Louie Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand." Monaco is a good mover and a decent ball striker, but he is not an error-free player, nor does he own enough weapons to hit through the Swiss if Federer is playing reasonably well. There have been similar style players to Monaco who have tired Federer out on hard courts before (think Guillermo Canas), but in three out of five sets on a court that he's been essentially dominant on since 2005, Federer will work Monaco with his high variety attack in three sets.
The contest between JANKO TIPSAREVIC and JUAN CARLOS FERRERO could go on forever because both men are cagey groundstrokers. Tipsarevic is not as consistent as Ferrero, but he's improved to the point where he can move the ball around until he can get set up for his money shots. What's particularly encouraging about Tipsarevic this year is how committed he has been to realizing his talent, no longer being just an intellectual curiosity. The 27-year-old has cracked the top-20 behind speed, shotmaking and a more-than-decent amount of power.
I've always appreciated Ferrero's silky smooth game, but let's face it: After his outstanding summer of 2003 when he won Roland Garros, reached the US Open final and No. 1, he's underachieved. Part of that was due to illness and injury, but part of that was also because he didn't like the spotlight and did not improve enough. That's why Andy Roddick - who beat him in the '03 - stuck in the top-10 year after year and Ferrero didn't. However, the 31-year-old Spaniard is making a huge effort in NYC and despite losing a little foot speed, he can still crack balls off the ground and is an under rated server. Ferrero won their only two matches, but the two haven't played in four years so those results can mostly be thrown out. This one will be a marathon - and while I can see an inspiring win by the soon-to-retire Ferrero, I'm sensing that Tipsarevic will reach his first US Open quarter in a five-set victory.
WOMEN'S DRAW
16-ANA IVANOVIC VS 28-SERENA WILLIAMS
I have watched Ivanovic play a ton this year and I have seen her in both her good and bad moments. If Serena plays well - which she has been, post-Wimbledon - I'm not sure how the Serbian is going to win a set. When I asked former No. 1 Ivanovic about whether she would be intimidated in this match she said "no," and that she realizes that Serena will try to do and psyche her out but that she brings her own unique attitude on court. I like that kind of spunk, as it signals that she's ready to battle - but frankly, the 2008 French Open champion's game has not advanced to the place where she has enough in her arsenal to sting an in-form Serena.
Outside of Ivanovic's massive forehand, Serena owns her in every other department. Her serve is bigger and more consistent. Her backhand has more variety and is more powerful. She is stronger mentally. She moves a little better, returns more accurately and she is more willing to go to net and close out points. So the only way that Ivanovic is going to win this match is if Serena gets into a serving funk and Ivanovic zones with her forehand, her serve and return. Let's assume that happens for about six games: That still spells a straight-set victory for Ms. Williams.
1-CAROLINE WOZNIACKI VS 15-SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA
Clearly this is dangerous match up for Wozniacki, as Kuznetsova has the firepower to make her shake a bit - but I'm not buying that the Russian will on Monday because the Dane seems to read her game with precision. It is not that easy to hit through an in-form Wozniacki and she's getting better with each match. She's moving beautifully and essentially winning matches with her legs, backhand and competitive spirit, which is what brought her to the 2009 US Open final and No. 1 in the first place.
US Open fans will recall that Wozniacki stopped Kuznetsova 7-6 in the third set in the fourth round of 2009 Open and since then she has owned her, wiping her out at 2010 Montreal and 2011 Dubai, both on outdoor hard courts. For Kuznetsova to be able to take out the 20-year-old, she has to have both her heavy inside-out forehand and backhand down the line clicking and that has not happened all that much this year. Wozniacki has a better backhand than she does, anticipates just as well and is more committed to grinding out points on the run.
Kuznetsova is going to have to come out firing and pray that she's on, or at least find a way to drag this into a third set and hope that the Dane chokes like she did at Wimbledon. Either way, I like Caro's chances more because Kuznetsova hasn't not shown herself to be a mentally-stable player at any time this year, which is why Wozniacki will take her out in two tough sets.
I am really tempted to pick ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA to upend FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE because the young Russian really is due to make a strong Slam charge, but it just feels like the Italian is due to confront Serena in the quarters. Schiavone has to be careful that A-Pavs doesn't get into hard-hitting groove early, but she realizes that the Russian will have a heck of time dealing with her frequent change of pace and power. Take Schiavone in two long sets…It's fantastic to see young Spaniard CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO back in action after a series of injuries because I love watching her whack hard one-handed backhands into the corners. She has a little Richard Gasquet in her and if she can stay healthy, is a top-20 prospect at least - but ANDREA PETKOVIC seems to have shaken off her physical problems and is playing deep and consistent ball. The German will face the Spaniard down in straight sets.
8-MARDY FISH vs. 11-JO WILFRIED TSONGA
Well now, this is about as tough of a pick as it gets as both men have been playing very well this summer - both serve and volley with force and both believe they have good shots at Roger Federer should they meet him in the quarters. Really, there isn't much between these guys except that Fish has better backhand and Tsonga the better forehand, and Tsonga is little faster while Fish has better eyes in the return game.
Amazingly, the 29-year-old American and the 26-year-old Frenchman have never played despite the fact that they have both been reasonable factors for the past four years. Because of that there will be some elements of surprise here; because although their scouting reports on each other run the length of Bud Collins' Tennis Encyclopedia, it's much different to go on court and bat back the other man's shots than it is to read about him or watch him on video tape.
The key for Fish will be to serve more proficiently than he has in his first three matches, not get pushed off the baseline and try and take advantage of every second serve. The key for Tsonga will be to get as many returns in play as possible, try to find ways into Fish's weaker forehand side and take care of his volleys. Even though my gut has failed me time and time again, I'll take Fish in four sets - not just because he's an American, but because I believe he's played a better brand of hard-court tennis all year long.
I really thought that Nikolay Davydenko would take at least a set off of NOVAK DJOKOVIC on Sunday night - while he played him tough for two sets, he failed to do so. Even though I like young ALEXANDR DOLGOPOLOV's potential - how he can produce wicked sidespin with his backhand, how he can flatten out his forehand and the touch he has on his drop shots - I just cannot see him taking a set off the No. 1. He'll play him tough for while, but his second serve is weak and the Serbian will climb all over it. Djokovic is not the type of player who can be easily tricked into making a slew of unforced errors when he's feeling super-confident like he's been this whole year. The positive for Dolgopolov is he can mix up his attack and change speeds - which is a much better way to play Djokovic than trying to play power ball with him - but the Ukranian just a little too inconsistent to pull an upset. Maybe next year, but not now.
If the more-powerful Marin Cilic couldn't take ROGER FEDERER to five sets in the last round, what chance does JUAN MONACO have? Between "slim" and "the narrow space in between Louie Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand." Monaco is a good mover and a decent ball striker, but he is not an error-free player, nor does he own enough weapons to hit through the Swiss if Federer is playing reasonably well. There have been similar style players to Monaco who have tired Federer out on hard courts before (think Guillermo Canas), but in three out of five sets on a court that he's been essentially dominant on since 2005, Federer will work Monaco with his high variety attack in three sets.
The contest between JANKO TIPSAREVIC and JUAN CARLOS FERRERO could go on forever because both men are cagey groundstrokers. Tipsarevic is not as consistent as Ferrero, but he's improved to the point where he can move the ball around until he can get set up for his money shots. What's particularly encouraging about Tipsarevic this year is how committed he has been to realizing his talent, no longer being just an intellectual curiosity. The 27-year-old has cracked the top-20 behind speed, shotmaking and a more-than-decent amount of power.
I've always appreciated Ferrero's silky smooth game, but let's face it: After his outstanding summer of 2003 when he won Roland Garros, reached the US Open final and No. 1, he's underachieved. Part of that was due to illness and injury, but part of that was also because he didn't like the spotlight and did not improve enough. That's why Andy Roddick - who beat him in the '03 - stuck in the top-10 year after year and Ferrero didn't. However, the 31-year-old Spaniard is making a huge effort in NYC and despite losing a little foot speed, he can still crack balls off the ground and is an under rated server. Ferrero won their only two matches, but the two haven't played in four years so those results can mostly be thrown out. This one will be a marathon - and while I can see an inspiring win by the soon-to-retire Ferrero, I'm sensing that Tipsarevic will reach his first US Open quarter in a five-set victory.
WOMEN'S DRAW
16-ANA IVANOVIC VS 28-SERENA WILLIAMS
I have watched Ivanovic play a ton this year and I have seen her in both her good and bad moments. If Serena plays well - which she has been, post-Wimbledon - I'm not sure how the Serbian is going to win a set. When I asked former No. 1 Ivanovic about whether she would be intimidated in this match she said "no," and that she realizes that Serena will try to do and psyche her out but that she brings her own unique attitude on court. I like that kind of spunk, as it signals that she's ready to battle - but frankly, the 2008 French Open champion's game has not advanced to the place where she has enough in her arsenal to sting an in-form Serena.
Outside of Ivanovic's massive forehand, Serena owns her in every other department. Her serve is bigger and more consistent. Her backhand has more variety and is more powerful. She is stronger mentally. She moves a little better, returns more accurately and she is more willing to go to net and close out points. So the only way that Ivanovic is going to win this match is if Serena gets into a serving funk and Ivanovic zones with her forehand, her serve and return. Let's assume that happens for about six games: That still spells a straight-set victory for Ms. Williams.
1-CAROLINE WOZNIACKI VS 15-SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA
Clearly this is dangerous match up for Wozniacki, as Kuznetsova has the firepower to make her shake a bit - but I'm not buying that the Russian will on Monday because the Dane seems to read her game with precision. It is not that easy to hit through an in-form Wozniacki and she's getting better with each match. She's moving beautifully and essentially winning matches with her legs, backhand and competitive spirit, which is what brought her to the 2009 US Open final and No. 1 in the first place.
US Open fans will recall that Wozniacki stopped Kuznetsova 7-6 in the third set in the fourth round of 2009 Open and since then she has owned her, wiping her out at 2010 Montreal and 2011 Dubai, both on outdoor hard courts. For Kuznetsova to be able to take out the 20-year-old, she has to have both her heavy inside-out forehand and backhand down the line clicking and that has not happened all that much this year. Wozniacki has a better backhand than she does, anticipates just as well and is more committed to grinding out points on the run.
Kuznetsova is going to have to come out firing and pray that she's on, or at least find a way to drag this into a third set and hope that the Dane chokes like she did at Wimbledon. Either way, I like Caro's chances more because Kuznetsova hasn't not shown herself to be a mentally-stable player at any time this year, which is why Wozniacki will take her out in two tough sets.
I am really tempted to pick ANASTASIA PAVLYUCHENKOVA to upend FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE because the young Russian really is due to make a strong Slam charge, but it just feels like the Italian is due to confront Serena in the quarters. Schiavone has to be careful that A-Pavs doesn't get into hard-hitting groove early, but she realizes that the Russian will have a heck of time dealing with her frequent change of pace and power. Take Schiavone in two long sets…It's fantastic to see young Spaniard CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO back in action after a series of injuries because I love watching her whack hard one-handed backhands into the corners. She has a little Richard Gasquet in her and if she can stay healthy, is a top-20 prospect at least - but ANDREA PETKOVIC seems to have shaken off her physical problems and is playing deep and consistent ball. The German will face the Spaniard down in straight sets.
Zvonareva Wins in Straight Sets
Vera Zvonareva took out Sabine Lisicki in a quick 6-2, 6-3 fourth round win in Arthur Ashe Stadium Sunday night at the US Open.
Match Statistics
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