U.S. Open: Quarterfinals Preview
The Williams sisters couldn’t avoid the inevitable.
After Serena Williams easily defeated fellow American Madison Keys in the fourth round 6-3, 6-3, she is now set to face her older sister, Venus, in the quarterfinals. Venus is ranked #23 behind her sister’s #1 slot, but in this match rankings mean nothing. Serena has already expressed concern about Venus knowing her game so well, including weak spots. But, it’s important to remember the road goes both ways.
Besides the championship round (and maybe even then), this is definitely the game to watch.
Novak Djokovic faced #23 Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) to seal his advancement to the quarterfinals. Bautista Agut put up a fight – causing Djokovic to smash his racket at one point –, but still was no match for the best male tennis player in the world. Djokovic blew through Bautista Agut 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Djokovic will face Feliciano Lopez (Spain) in the quarterfinals.
Simona Halep started off shaky in the fourth round against #24 Sabine Lisicki (Germany), losing the first set 7(8)-6(6). She went on to defeat Lisicki the next two sets 7-5, 6-2, securing her spot in the quarterfinals.
Halep will play Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) in the quarterfinals.
Roger Federer played a tough match against American John Isner, but managed to walk away victorious 7(7)-6(0), 7(8)-6(6), 7-5.
Federer will take on Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarterfinals.
Third-ranked Andy Murray fell short during his match against South Africa’s Kevin Anderson. The match went on for over 4 hours and ended with Murray zeroing out in a tiebreak. The final score was 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-0).
Other notable players to watch are last year’s men’s singles winner Marin Cilic (#9), Petra Kvitova (#5), and Stan Wawrinka (#5), who will face Kevin Anderson in the quarterfinal.