With the first week of play at the US Open over, the stage is set for a thrilling start to week two on Sunday, with eight singles matches on the slate and a number of the world’s best set to be in action. Here’s a run down of what to watch out for on Super Sunday:
US Open Super Sunday
Shelby Rogers vs Petra Kvitová
Shelby Rogers comes into this match in good form and hasn’t lost a set yet in New York. She’s into the fourth round for the first time at the US Open, having upset 11th seed Elena Rybakina in the second round. Petra Kvitova also hasn’t yet lost a set, but has not quite convinced either. Expect a hard-hitting encounter, with both players looking to dominate behind their serves. In their only previous meeting, the American won in three sets at the French Open in 2016.
Yulia Putintseva vs Petra Martic
Yulia Putintseva is playing great tennis, while showing her usual temper. With the protection afforded by a seeding, she has progressed through the draw in impressive fashion, but is now set to face her toughest test so far up against Petra Martic. The Croatian is in fine form and has dropped just one set so far in New York. Surprisingly, this will be their first encounter. Look for Martic to move Putintseva around the court with her variety, with long baseline exchanges likely to be the order of the day.
Jennifer Brady vs Angelique Kerber
Jennifer Brady arrives into the fourth round at the US Open in the form of her life. She finally has a title under her belt and is looking dangerous. She hasn’t dropped a set yet and will look to use her power to dictate every point. But Angelique Kerber has been improving with each match she has played and also hasn’t lost a set. Nor should it be overlooked that she has won this event before. Surprisingly, this will be their first meeting.
Naomi Osaka vs Anett Kontaveit
This will be the second meeting between Naomi Osaka and Anett Kontaveit in as many tournaments. The first was a three-set thriller won by Osaka in the quarterfinals at the Western and Southern Open. The Japanese star will look to continue her great run at this Grand Slam, but her hamstring injury is a concern. The Estonian, meanwhile, will be desperate to avenge her loss two week ago. Look for an entertaining match filled with a lot of drama and quality tennis from both.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Alexander Zverev
The young Spaniard player has already defeated one seeded player in Hubert Hurkacz. With this already his best showing at a Major, he will have nothing to lose up against Zverev. The German has battled his way through to the fourth round, despite some struggles with his serve, and will surely be desperate to book his place in his first US Open quarterfinal. Expect an entertaining contest in what is this pair’s first meeting.
Denis Shapovalov vs David Goffin
Denis Shapovalov had to work extremely hard for his place in the fourth round. He was on the brink against Taylor Fritz, but dug deep to claim a five-set win, reaching the second week at the US Open for the second time in the process. But he lost his only previous meeting with David Goffin and the Belgian has looked to be in good touch so far in New York. With both men excellent shot makers and good movers, there should be plenty of entertaining rallies in this match.
Borna Coric vs Jordan Thompson
Borna Coric scored one of the finest wins of his career against Stefanos Tsitsipas in five-spectacular sets in the third round. The Greek had six match points, but squandered all of them against a defiant Coric. Jordan Thompson, meanwhile, is enjoying the best run of his career and dismissed Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets in the last 32. But Coric will be the clear favourite heading into this match, although it is worth noting that neither man has ever reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Carreno Busta
The world #1 is undefeated so far this year and will hope to keep it that way. He hasn’t lost to the Spaniard in three previous meetings, losing just one set in the process, and will unsurprisingly be the overwhelming favourite heading into this match. But Carreno Busta is a former US Open semifinalist and dropped just two sets in reaching the second week. Will Djokovic advance? Most likely, but stranger things have happened.
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