It is obviously love: U.S. Open!
So tomorrow the final Grand Slam, the U.S. Open, begins. This is my all-time favorite event. I was born and raised in New York for 8 years and have had the opportunity to visit the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, but have yet to attend. I hope to attend next year before I start school. Each Grand Slam has its own challenge. The USO is on the biggest stage in sports and it IS the final Slam, and players are feeling the wear and tear of the already 9 months into the season. I will highlight a few first round matches I will be watching and some predictions.
Round 1 Interesting Matchups (1 for each quarter)
(1)Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. (WC)Chelsey Gullickson (USA)
-We have Wozniacki, a top seed at a Slam for the first time, and has won Montreal and New Haven back-to-back plays Gullickson, the 2010 NCAA Champion. Gullickson relies on her power, while Wozniacki relies on her ball direction and movement. Gullickson hasn’t even played 10 professional tournaments in her career, and she won one of them, a $25k in 2008. She almost had Greta Arn at Cincinnati and had match point against Vesnina at New Haven. Don’t be too shocked if Gullickson gets a set, but experience, the matchup and the occasion will guide Wozniacki in straight sets, but it will be tight.
(22)Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP) vs. (WC)Jamie Hampton (USA)
-Jamie Hampton has had an amazing 2010 season. Going into 2010, she was ranked 628 and is now 158. After a serious wrist injury in 2008, she waited a little over a year to come back in September 2009. She has won 2 $50k events, and 1 $25k and 1 $10k. She has a powerful game, but she is really good at the net. MJMS, who won Rome, has been sidelined with a neck injury. She is a great claycourt player who uses her finesse to her advantage. I think Hampton will rise to the occasion and the lack of match play for MJMS will hurt her. I give Hampton the upset in 3 sets.
Melanie Oudin (USA) vs. (Q)Olga Savchuk (UKR)
- Last year, Melanie Oudin stormed her way to the quarterfinals, stunning the sports world. She defeated 4 top 40 Russians back-to-back-to-back-to-back: Pavlyuchenkova, Dementieva, Sharapova and Petrova. Her 2010 has been modest, but all eyes will be on her and see if she can try and repeat the success she did last year. She has a great draw to reach the 2nd week. Qualifier Savchuk has the matches under her belt, but I don’t think she can knock of the American star. I think Melanie will win in straight sets.
(5)Samantha Stosur (AUS) vs. Elena Vesnina (RUS)
-Stosur has had the best year of her career, topping it off the her French Open runner-up finish. She isn’t as good on hardcourts, but she is very solid. An arm injury is lingering so if she is healthy, she can make the 2nd week. She hasn’t been past the 2nd round in New York, so it shall be interesting. Vesnina has had a great year as well, reaching her 2nd final of her career. When I saw her in Cincinnati, she was on fire. She can put up a great fine test for Stosur and possibly pull of the upset. I believe Sam will come out on top in 3 sets.
My Predictions 4th Round -> Winner
4th Round
(14)Maria Sharapova def. (1)Caroline Wozniacki
(11)Svetlana Kuznetsova def. (8)Na Li
(4)Jelena Jankovic def. (15)Yanina Wickmeyer
(17)Nadia Petrova def. (7)Vera Zvonareva
(10)Victoria Azarenka def. Melanie Oudin
(3)Venus Williams def. (16)Shahar Peer
(12)Elena Dementieva def. (5)Samantha Stosur
(2)Kim Clijsters def. (13)Marion Bartoli
Quarterfinals
(14)Maria Sharapova def. (11)Svetlana Kuznetsova
(4)Jelena Jankovic def. (17)Nadia Petrova
(10)Victoria Azarenka def. (3)Venus Williams
(2)Kim Clijsters def. (12)Elena Dementieva
Semi-Finals
(14)Maria Sharapova def. (4)Jelena Jankovic
(2)Kim Clijsters def. (10)Victoria Azarenka
FINAL
(2)Kim Clijsters def. (14)Maria Sharapova
