2010 US Open – Nick’s Pick – Women’s Singles Fourth Round
Venus Williams (USA) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR)
Venus really hasn’t been challenged yet at this year’s Open, but Peer has the tools to test her. She handled Mandy Minella in straight sets in the third round, but it wasn’t her best performance. She served under 50% and had more unforced errors than winners. She can’t do that again and hope to beat the better players.
Peer knocked out Flavia Pennetta in straight sets and she has yet to drop a set in the tournament. She reached the quarters here back in 2007 and she will have plenty of supporters in the stands when she takes on Venus. I love watching her play because she fights for every ball and will not give up ever!
Match-Up:
Venus is 5-0 against Peer and this is their fourth meeting already in 2010 (Venus has not dropped a set against her). Peer has been hanging around the top 20 for a couple of years now and has yet to really break through. Her fitness was also a strong suit for her a couple of years ago and it looks like she is trying to get back to her roots again. She pounds the ball from both sides and is an excellent mover, but does she have the guns to take out Venus? It’s scary to think that Venus didn’t play too well against Minella in the third round and was still able to advance. If she is able to up her serve percentage and cut down on her unforced errors she should run through this draw. With these two having already played four times this year, there will be no surprises. I look for Venus to advance in two tough sets.
Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL)
It’s great to see Ivanovic playing at a high level again, because the tour is better off when she is performing up to her abilities. This is already her best Grand Slam of 2010 and if she could take out the defending champion she will put everyone on notice that she is definitely back!
The last two times Clijsters entered the US Open she has won it. She loves the hard courts and the bright lights of NYC and the fans absolutely adore her. She hasn’t been tested yet this year, but that’s about to change!
Match-Up:
Clijsters is 2-0 against Ivanovic and has beaten her once already this year. This is going to be a very emotional match for both women as there are plenty of supporters for both that will be packing the stands. Ivanovic seems happier on the court than she has in the past year and that has made a big difference in her play. She hits big from both sides, moves well and has a good serve (when her toss is okay). The difference here is going to be Clijster’s match experience as well as her movement. She moves around the court so well and she can turn defense into offense better than anyone. This is a match you don’t want to miss!
Nick’s Pick – Clijsters in 3 sets
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
Kuznetsova, a former US Open champion, is into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the second time this year. After losing in the second round of Wimbledon, Kuznetsova won the tournament in San Diego, lost to Sharapova in the first round at Cincinnati and then reached the semis at Montreal. She has been up and down throughout the year, but she is still a contender for the title.
Cibulkova had her coming out part at the 2009 French Open, where she reached the semifinals. Since then, she had not been past the third round of any Grand Slam until now. She hasn’t had a great summer, going 2-5 since Wimbledon, but she’s in the fourth round so you cannot dismiss her lightly.
Match-Up:
Kuznetsova is 3-1 against Cibulkova, but in their one meeting this year Cibulkova won in straight sets. Cibulkova stands only 5’3”, but she packs plenty of punch from a small frame. Her movement is lightning quick and her groundstrokes are solid. Kuznetsova has possibly the best foundation on the WTA Tour. She is like a brick wall at the baseline, you cannot get anything past her. She has a tendency to sometimes lose focus and break down mentally, so as long as she can keep that part of her game together she should be okay. I don’t think Cibulkova has the weapons to beat Kuznetsova on this stage and I look for the Russian to advance in two tough sets or three sets.
Nick’s Pick – Kuznetsova in 3 sets
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Zvonareva has quietly moved through the draw and the 2010 Wimbledon runner-up is definitely a contender to win this title. She recently reached the finals at Montreal, beating Clijsters and Azarenka, before falling to Wozniacki. Keep your eye on Zvonareva during the next week to see if she can repeat her Wimbledon success.
Petkovic is into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. She upset Nadia Petrova in the opening round, then beat a tough opponent in Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round, and then advanced to the fourth round via walkover when Shuai Peng had to pull out of the tournament.
Match-Up:
This is the first career meeting between Petkovic and Zvonareva. Petkovic is a tall girl who hits with a lot of power from both sides. She has a good serve, but lacks consistency. She has never been on this stage before and the pressure may have an effect on her. Zvonareva is one of, if not, the best mover on the WTA Tour. She has outstanding footwork, fantastic groundstrokes and a solid serve. She also has a great return of serve and will attack Petkovic’s serve from the outset. As long as Zvonareva can remain calm, cool and collected she should advance in straight sets.
Nick’s Pick – Zvonareva in 2 sets
