Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL)

Once again, Venus overcame lots of unforced errors to advance in straight sets over Francesca Schiavone. Venus came to the net early and often and this proved to be the big difference in the match. When she is coming forward and putting pressure on her opponents she is very hard to because of her wingspan at the net.

Clijsters won her 19^th straight match at the US Open, beating Sam Stosur 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. It wasn’t a pretty much for either woman, but Clijsters came up big at the end of the third set and that was the difference. This was her seventh straight victory over a top-ten player and she will look to continue that streak against Venus.

Match-Up:

This is the 13^th career meeting between Venus and Clijsters and their head-to-head record is 6-6. In their one meeting earlier this year in the finals at Miami, Clijsters won 6-2, 6-1. They also met in the fourth round of last year’s US Open and Clijsters won that 6-0, 0-6, 6-4. I am going to break down this match stroke for stroke because this is going to be one heck of a battle!

If Venus’ serve is on and she doesn’t stay at baseline this can go either way. If she stays back at the baseline and slugs it out this could go to Clijsters. This is going to be one heck of a match and I am looking to you for the winner!! Who do you think will win?

Nick’s Pick – This could really go either way!

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Vera Zvonvareva (RUS)

Wozniacki and Cibulkova struggled big-time with the wind on Wednesday night. Neither was comfortable and both were broke numerous times. Wozniacki was tougher both mentally and physically and that was the difference in this match. Many people were questioning whether or not she was the true #1 coming into the tournament, and so far she has answered those questions.

Zvonareva continued to roll with a straight set victory over Kaia Kanepi in the quarters and she has still not dropped a set throughout the tournament. She broke Kanepi seven times she is hitting her serve better than I have ever seen in the past. She is more than capable of winning this match and reaching another Grand Slam final.

Match-Up:

This is the fifth career meeting between Wozniacki and Zvonareva and they have split the previous four. In their two matches earlier this year, Zvonareva won the first at Charleston and Wozniacki won the second at Montreal. Wow, this is going to be one heck of a match between two women who are both playing fantastic tennis. Both women move extremely well, both have excellent groundstrokes and both are brimming with confidence. Zvonareva probably stands a little closer to the baseline than Wozniacki and takes the ball earlier, but on the other hand, Wozniacki will come forward inside the baseline and attack when she needs to. This is a tough match to call because I wouldn’t be surprised if either won it. Both are playing at a high level and both are great competitors and fighters. I think you have to give a slight edge to Wozniacki because of her record coming in, but don’t be surprised if Zvonareva wins.

Nick’s Pick – Could go either way. Wouldn’t be surprised to see if either wins it.

~ by Nick's Picks on September 9, 2010.

Posted in 2010 US Open
Tags: 2010 us open, Caroline Wozniacki, IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Kim Clijsters, Nick Bollettieri, Nick's Picks, US Open, Venus Williams, Vera Zvonareva