Wrap up of the round of 16:
Comeback wins of the day:
Oudin def. Petrova 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-3
Oudin just keeps finding ways to win tough matches. This is the 3rd match in a row where she has lost the 1st set and fought back to take the win. She’s navigated the toughest section of her draw and from here on out until the finals, it looks like clear sailing. As for Petrova, the match unfolded just like we thought it would. The pattern of events all too familiar to herself and her loyal fans. Petrova came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. Was up a break in the 2nd set before she let her alter ego take over and the rest went according to history.
Wozniaki def. Kuznetsova 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-6 (3)
Another heartbreaking and puzzling loss for Kuznetsova. With the match firmly on her racket, she let it all slip away with perplexing shot selection. Case in point, at 5 all in the 3rd set, she held 2 break points on the Wozniaki serve. She missed a forehand on one and tried a drop shot on the other. She would try 3 other ill advised drop shots during crucial points later in the set to let Wozniaki off the hook. This, like so many Kuznetsova matches in the past, had all of her fans pulling their hair in disbelief. Wozniaki, to her credit, fought valiantly and gutted out the win for a spot in the quarters against Oudin.
Our match of the day pick: McEnroe vs. Djokovic
Ok so this wasn’t a match, so much as 2 points but it made for great tv! Djokovic called out McEnroe from the ESPN commentary box to have a hit with him after his routine win over Stepanek. McEnroe played good sport and the two had a great rally. FYI, Jonny Mac still has incredible hands and anticipation around the court. Youtube this clip if you have a chance.
Day 9 Preview:
Our match of the day pick(s)
Tsonga vs. Gonzalez
This match guarantees: Big Forehand, Big Backhand, Big Serving…Big Everything. Tsonga has made his way through the draw quietly. He’s playing great tennis and has only been broken once. Actually, he’s only faced 7 break points through 3 rounds. Gonzalez played great against Berdych and he’s going to get the same kind of opponent today against Tsonga. Match could go either way but we’ll go with Tsonga in 4.
Monfils vs. Nadal
The featured evening match on Ashe, the atmosphere should be electric. Expect long rallies and amazing retrieving from both players. There head to head stands at 4-1 in favor of Nadal but Monfils beat him earlier this year in Doha. The way Monfils plays tennis is something to behold. I’ve never seen an athlete so willing to throw his body around the court to chase down a shot. However, for Monfils to pull the upset, he’s going to have to be the aggressor. Nadal will try to push him beyond the baseline so retrieving simply won’t get the job done. We don’t know the state of Nadal’s abdominal injury but if he’s fit, he should win this match in 4 sets.