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US Open: Women’s Quarter Final Predictions

By Jake Fletcher

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US Open: Williams vs Williams, Chapter 27!

The quarter finals have been decided in the top half of the women’s draw at the US Open. Serena Williams will play Venus Williams but Kristina Mladenovic will play Roberta Vinci. Did I guess them right? Find out here!

At the beginning of the week, I correctly predicted that Serena Williams would reach this stage (no surprise there).

Here’s a look at the quarter finals and who I think will reach the semis.

(1/1) Serena Williams vs (23/23) Venus Williams

S. Williams looked the best she’s done all summer in handling (19/19) Madison Keys 63 63 in the 4th round. The 33 year old never faced a break point as she convincingly negated her opponents extraordinary, if at time reckless power. By virtue of her win, the American finds herself into a thirteenth US Open quarter final. Overall, she’s won nine of the twelve she’s played, winning her last six since 2008. Her only three losses came against Lindsay Davenport (2000), Jennifer Capriati (2004) and Justine Henin (2007).

V. Williams has rolled back the clock to reach her first US Open quarter final since 2010. The 35 year old used all of her big match experience to crush the qualifier, Anett Kontaveit 62 61 in the 4th round. The American is now into her eleventh US Open quarter final, winning eight of the ten she’s played. Her two losses were against Kim Clijsters (2005) and perhaps more importantly, Serena Williams (2008).

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Serena leads Venus in their legendary head to head 15-11 and won their latest encounter in the 4th round of Wimbledon 64 63. However, Venus won the time before that in the semis of Montreal last year 67(2) 62 63. At the US Open, the pair are conveniently tied at 2-2, Venus winning in the final of 2001 and the 4th round of 2005 and Serena winning in the final of 2002 and as mentioned above.

I consider this to be a significant hurdle for Serena to jump. If she can negotiate her way through this no doubt uncomfortable encounter, her path to the title seems more assured than ever considering her record in major semi finals onwards.

Prediction: Serena Williams

(40/-) Kristina Mladenovic vs (43/-) Roberta Vinci

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Mladenovic is experiencing a breakthrough Slam, having never previously gone beyond the 3rd round. The 22 year old held her nerve to claim her first win in three against last year’s semi finalist, (13/13) Ekaterina Makarova in the 4th round. The Frenchwoman had the crowd on their feet after hitting a ‘tweener’ early in the second set en route to a 76(2) 46 61 win.

Vinci has quietly progressed into her third US Open quarter final in the past four years. The 32 year old lost at that stage in 2012 and 2013 to compatriots, Sara Errani and Flavia Pennetta respectively. The Italian was due to play the resurgent (25/25) Eugenie Bouchard in the 4th round before a cruel stroke of misfortune forced the Canadian to withdraw after she slipped in the locker room, banged her head and suffered concussion.

Mladenovic and Vinci have never met before. The youngster will undoubtedly be the aggressor in this match, given her powerful serve and groundstrokes. Vinci may find herself under significant pressure on her sliced backhand and must look to vary the play by attacking the net.

I’m not sure Vinci has the necessary firepower to upset the rising star, though nerves could play a factor.

Prediction: Kristina Mladenovic

Next: US Open: Women's 4th Round Predictions- Bottom Half

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