Tuesday, September 7, 2010

US Open Labor Day Results: Wozzi Downs Shazza, Federer Sets Up Showdown with Soderling

If their were still doubters who believed Caroline Wozniacki didn't deserve the number 1 seed at the 2010 US Open, I'm sure, after the Dane's match on Monday, they were decreased. The 20 year-old played beautiful defense, wearing out Maria Sharapova to earn a 2-set victory, 6-3, 6-4. The win puts Wozniacki, who made just a 1/3 of the amount of errors that her opponent did, in the quarterfinals, where she will face Dominika Cibulkova, an upset winner over Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Sharapova and Wozniacki played almost the entire match at an incredibly high level, with long rallies pitting the Russian's powerful ground strokes against the 2009 finalist's high top-spin shots. As i was clear that Sharapova couldn't hit through her opponent, the 14th seed began to go for more and more, eventually breaking down her own game with several errors at a time.

Roger Federer advanced in routine fashion past Jurgen Melzer in the 2nd night match, reaching his 26th straight Major quarterfinal with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory. The 2nd seeded Swiss has yet to los a set, but that could all change when he runs into the always-dangerous Robin Soderling in the enxt round. The Swede dropped the first set against Albert Montanes before reeling off the next three easily to win.

Soderling ended Federer's miraculous Grand Slam semifinal streak at the French Open, and the two have a long history. Expect a brilliant encounter on Wednesday.
Vera Zvonareva kicked off the night session with a dominating win over Andrea Petkovic, 6-1, 6-2. The Russian imploded against Flavia Pennetta on this same day at last year's Open, but she kept her emotions in check long enough to dispatch of the gritty German, giving the 7th seed a spot in the quarters. She'll meet Kaia Kanepi, who got off to a very slow start against 2009 semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer, dropping the opener 6-0, before recovering to win the next two sets 7-6 (2), 6-1.


Gael Monfils squared off against countryman Richard Gasquet in an exciting 4th-rounder in which the 17th seeded Monfils won 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. Afterwards, Gasquet deservedly referred to Le Monf as the "Usain Bolt of Tennis," and his ability to run down even the best of shots will have his quarterfinal opponent, Novak Djokovic's, hands full.

The Serb crushed Mardy Fish on Arthur Ashe, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, pushing the American around and serving beautifully.

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