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Written by Matt Cronin   
Friday, 31 August 2007
8-SERENA WILLIAMS V. 27-VERA ZVONAREVA

Serena has been spotty in her first two victories, but won't have as much breathing room here, as Zvonareva is a former top-10 player who will be more than happy to trade hard, consistent groundstrokes with her. Fortunately for Serena, Zvonareva is also just coming off a sizeable injury and is rusty herself. But what Serena won't get in this match is numerous questionable shifts of strategies from her foe, like she did in her second -ound victory over Maria Elena Camerin.

Unlike most WTA players, Serena can always count on big serves to pull her out of tight spots, which is why she was able to secure two tight straight-set victories in the first two rounds. But she is nowhere near her top level, as she sends returns flying, pulls her forehand and still doesn't trust her backhand down the line. But with each passing day, those strokes should return.

In order to beat Zvonareva, she'll have to mix it up and not play into the Russian's favored cross-court patterns. Serena is a much smarter player than she's given credit for and will end up taking Zvonareva out of her rhythm, but it will take three long, sweaty and frustrating sets to do so. There will be no more giveaway matches from here on out for Ms. Williams.
12-VENUS WILLIAMS V. 21 ALONA BONDARENKO

After two relatively simple contests, Venus will get tested here, as the feisty Ukrainian has been waiting for a year to get a chance to show off her much improved game on a big court. The temperamental Bondarenko loves a battle, and although her emotions often get too much of her, she's a pleasure to watch because you know that to her, every point is a life-and-death struggle.

Without question, Venus has more game than Bondarenko does, especially with her serve and volley. Bondarenko may be fast, but Venus covers the court better than any woman 6-foot-2 and taller ever. With three long strides she's into the doubles alley where she can bang returns at a lightening pace. For the first time since 2002, Venus came into the US Open healthy and in tremendous form. If she continues to strike the ball the way she has been over the past two months, she'll win her third US Open title. But first she'll take out Bondarenko in two entertaining sets.

10-MARION BARTOLI V. 20-LUCIE SAFAROVA

The winner of this tasty contest will likely face Serena, so there's a lot on the line for the Wimbledon finalist and the left-handed Czech. While Bartoli showed tremendous guts and searing groundstrokes in shocking the world at the All-England Club, Safarova has been impressive this year, too, knocking out former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo at the Australian Open and at Roland Garros.

Safarova is one of the few high-ranked lefties on the women's tour and has plenty of hook and bite on her forehand. She's doesn't have a big serve, but has enough action on it to trouble the righties.

Bartoli had a depressing run at the US Open Series tournament post her Wimbledon glory. She got sick twice and was mentally exhausted after coming to the world's attention. She lacked confidence in her shots, as she wasn't sure of her proper place in the tennis universe. But she's played well in two matches here and certainly has the capability of bending low, cocking back and blazing groundstrokes into the corners. But the thing is, her body and mind are still whispering at her that she needs a longer rest period back home in France, which is why Safarova will step inside the court during the third set and send Bartoli packing.

2-RAFAEL NADAL V. JANKO TIPSAREVIC

Let the battle of the knee injuries begin. Nadal was in a bad way in his first-round victory over Alun Jones, as he hurt his left knee in practice against Andy Murray and didn't trust his wounded body part when sprinting side to side. He survived, but only because of his big match experience and his foe's meltdown.

Tipsarevic, the heavily tattooed Serbian, also has a bad wheel, which has taken him out of a lot of summer play. But he has terrific groundstrokes and is a colorful character, being the only man on tour with a tattoo that quotes Russian writer Dostoyevsky. He'll have his own section of literature PhDs from Columbia and NYU pulling for an upset.

Nadal won't be 100 percent and may not even be 70 percent, but he's dying to prove that he can win a non-clay court Slam and is hoping that if he can last a couple of more matches, his knee will recover and he can show his best stuff. His greatest desire here is to show US Open fans his “A” game, which is why he's so stressed out by the knee injury. While Tipsarevic has the strokes to stay with him, Nadal will put on his warrior's mask and gut out a four-set victory.

3-NOVAK DJOKOVOC V. RADEK STEPANEK

This is a very tough second -ound contest for Djokovic, who has the toughest quarter of all the main contenders. Stepanek is a former top-20 player who has had a terrific summer, winning Los Angeles with an inspired, high variety attack. Martina Hingis' ex-fiancée has plenty of power off the ground, a good serve and can close points at net.

But the young Serbian Djokovic is the epitome of composure, moves very well for his size and is very difficult to knock off his stride. He's solid everywhere and has the guts to go for big shots at key moments, which is why he's so many analysts' sexy pick to reach the final. Stepanek will throw everything but his racket bag at him, but Djokovic will frustrate the Czech with a relentless attack and prevail in four tough sets.

8-TOMMY ROBREDO V. MARDY FISH

Here's the only upset pick of the day, as Fish is ready to make his mark on the US Open for the first time. The Olympic silver medalist came in here in better form three years ago with the potential of making a second-week splash, but admittedly froze up. Now, he's more mature and sure of himself and after a nice run to the New Haven final, has a more commanding presence on court.

Fish will have to impose himself on Robredo, serve big and get into net as much as possible. While the American is competent from the backcourt, he's not as consistent as the Spaniard is and will be overmatched from the forehand side. So Fish will have to keep the points short and take a lot of risk in his return games. This is a golden opportunity for the former Davis Cup player to draw some attention to himself again, and he will in winning a dramatic five-set contest.
 
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