Quick Post
We are getting down to the business end on the women's side and this is usually where the World's No. 1, Serena Williams would sometimes falter. I don't think that she will falter this year and neither does Ace.
The final match in the women's bottom half of the draw featuring World No.2, Victoria Azarenka going up against Ana Ivanovic is first up today on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I think Azarenka will be tested by Ivanovic who seems to have found a winning strategy at this year's Open, but I think Azarenka will prove to be consistent and will walk away with the win in 3 tough sets.
Ace's Top Half Quarter-Final Preview
Serena Williams vs Carla Suarez Navarro – S Williams ended up making the CBS afternoon primetime match into a statement match against Stephens losing only five games. Shots that were winners for Stephens against U Radwanska and Hampton were coming back with interest and the formula Stephens used at the Australian Open did not succeed as S Williams was healthier and determined for some people to say that Stephens win at Australian Open may have been a fluke. Suarez Navarro rallied from a set deficit to win a deciding tiebreaker to eliminate Kerber, who has not meet her 2012 expectations. In the process, Suarez Navarro became the first Spainard to make the quarterfinals since 1998. However, she is not a stranger to a Slam quarterfinal as this is the third time making one. Only quarterfinal she has not made was at Wimbledon. Key to the match is for S Williams to play freely while Suarez Navarro needs to play a career match and hope S Williams is a little flat emotionally after getting revenge on Stephens.
Ekaterina Makarova vs Na Li – When Makarova lost the first four games against A Radwanska, most people were thinking that A Radwanska big match experience would win but A Radwanska started to make unusual errors that let Makarova get into the match and Makarova capitalized by winning eight straight games. Once A Radwanska got even in the second set, Makarova was able to break once again and came up with clutch shots saving five break points in the process to consolidate the break. In her final service game, Makarova held her nerve and closed out the match without facing a break point. Li came out blazing hitting forehand, backhand and volley winners and kept constant pressure on Jankovic throughout the match. In the last 4 hardcourt Slams, Makarova has made the quarterfinals and this is the second United States Open quarterfinal for Li. Key to the match is the first strike as both players like to hit their shots.
Spin's Day 9 Picks
Serena Williams Carla Suarez Navarro
Ekaterina Makarova v Na Li
Ekaterina Makarova v Na Li
