ROS SATAR LOOKS OVER THE THURSDAY NIGHT-(RE)CAP, DAY 5 MATCHES OF THE DAY & PREVIEWS

Written by: Staff on 4th September 2015

ROS SATAR LOOKS OVER THE THURSDAY NIGHT-(RE)CAP, DAY 5 MATCHES OF THE DAY & PREVIEWS

epa04913240 Venus Williams of the US hits a return to Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during their match on the fifth day of the 2015 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 04 September 2015. The US Open runs through 13 September, which is a return to a 14-day schedule. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

The Thursday Night-(re)cap

The lack of preparation and niggling injuries as we approach the last few months of the season yet again takes its toll, as Caroline Wozniacki was bundled out of the tournament. Last year’s finalist had really finished the end of the year on quite the tear… and still had the legs (literally) to run the New York Marathon.

Fast forward a year, and despite having four match points, the night belonged to the Petra Cetkovska, who is on her way back after a hip injury. The night crowd got behind the underdog, to end a pretty unhappy US Open build-up and tournament for the former No. 1, as Cetkovska proved there was another Czech Petra on the block 6-4 5-7 7-6(1).

With Wozniacki’s demise, this means is there are now just three Top 10 women left in the draw after just two rounds, yet still all the expectation very much on Serena Williams’ shoulders to lift the title – but that may change – more on that later!

Day 5 Highlights

Our first match up to savour was Belinda Bencic vs Venus Williams. The young Swiss made her WTA min draw debut against Williams at the age of 15, and has weathered those tricky waters of transitioning from a junior to the senior ranks better than some.

Any thoughts that Bencic has that same stoicism exuded by that other probably slightly more famous male Swiss player of the moment was swiftly put to bed as she squawked her frustration at being broken in the first set. Then again that certain Mr Federer had a bit of a temper on him when he was a laddie, so … in about a decade she’ll be right as rain!

This was like watching Venus of old – at least in the first set – her serving seemed controlled, and as frustration set in more and more for the teen, Williams just seemed to power through. But Bencic struck with force at the start of the second set, building up what looked like a match levelling 4-1 lead. For Williams to then come back at her, and end the teen’s run in straight sets 6-3 6-4, (not to mention eating into a hefty ton of points being defended) suddenly all eyes gazed quarter-final-wards… could she? Would she?

The other big match of the day session had to be Genie Bouchard v Dominika Cibulkova. A first time pairing, the hefty ball striking of the Canadian was up against the scrappy scampering Slovakian. We talk about nip and tuck, and both were confident in their approaches, with Cibulkova getting the first break, only to be yanked right back by the Canadian.

The first set tie-break was perhaps some of the best tennis we’ve seen – with the balance of power switching back and forth at least as vigorously as we snap our heads left and right. Bouchard had had to save two set points before the tie-break and three more in it, before finally capitalise on her second, leaving everyone scampering for more popcorn, hoping that the 2014 Australian Open finalist would maintain her level to make this at least as close, if not level the match.

Cibulkova plays an aggressive game and her speed around the court is still very phenomenal – she just never stops, and it was clear to see now how Ivanovic crumbled under her relentless returning. Even as Bouchard eased ahead in the second, she kept at the Canadian, earning her break back after a mammoth 12 minutes and eight break points.

Bouchard has always been the kind of player who plays pretty aggressively, steps that up when she has to, but often lacks that kind of intuition if that approach is not working. As Cibulkova stepped it up, well dang it she deserved to level the match out of sheer tenacity.

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada hits a return to Dominka Cibulkova of Slovakia during their match on the fifth day of the 2015 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 04 September 2015. The US Open runs through 13 September, which is a return to a 14-day schedule. EPA/ANDREW GOMBERT

The intensity was high into the decider, but the momentum just swing the Canadian’s way as she built up a 4-1 lead. She hadn’t quite broken Cibulkova’s spirit, but perhaps Bouchard truly is turning a corner as she suddenly sharpened up, playing some solid tennis to just stay ahead. Her serving was impressive, just when she needed it, serving it out for a place in the fourth round – 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3.

Other results for the women included France’s Kristina Mladenovic powering past lucky loser Daria Kasatkina, 6-2 6-3. Last year’s semi-finalist Ekaterina Makarova at times looked to be on the point of tears as she battled through her round three match with Elina Svitolina including calling out the trainer after having match-points for cramp, only to be told to wait until the changeover. As it turned out the end was nigh for the younger WTA Rising Star as Makarova stayed on track 6-3 7-5.

The Big Match – Serena Williams v Bethanie Mattek-Sands

Looking ahead to Friday’s night match – 13 may be unlucky for some, but it is Bethanie Mattek-Sands 13th main draw appearance at the US Open (she made her debut in 2001) and she is through to the third round for the first time following that win over Coco Vandeweghe. Then have only played twice in their careers, with Williams winning both.

There is a sense that if Serena is even a little bit tentative as she was in her second round match, she will be punished by the no-holds barred swinging of Mattek-Sands. This has all the hallmarks of a three set battle between Fed Cup team-mates, countrywomen, and the weight of history hanging on every swing.

This really deserves to be a true test for Williams, and Mattek-Sands has absolutely nothing to lose, and comes equipped with a very versatile all-court style, with speed, agility at the net, and determination to keep swinging with the best. One of the best doubles players on tour, and having enjoyed her most recent successes with Lucie Safarova, she will look to attack Williams from the outset just to hang in with her (assuming she gets off to a fast start). Could we see an upset?

Day 6 – Pick of the WTA Matches

Is the way clear for the bottom half of the draw to capitalise on the fact that seeds are dropping like… runaway drones? Here’s what we will be watching, guarding the remote jealously from anyone thinking they can switch away from these courts.

Petra Kvitova v Anna Karolina Schmiedlova

Anna Schmiedlova has been putting together some very impressive wins now since Wimbledon, and facing fifth seed Petra Kvitova first on Ashe, the heat and humidity that has been present this week could well affect the Czech, who has never quite got her act together in New York. That being said, Kvitova has been in good form in her first two matches, but we expect this to be far more of a test for her. We could see another one of the Top 10 exit stage right.

Schmiedlova in 3

Victoria Azarenka v Angelique Kerber

This always had the potential to be one of the grindiest round three matches, as Azarenka continues her streak up the rankings, continuing to be a thorn in the side of the higher seeds. What Kerber possesses is the ability to run all the live long day. Mind you, Azarenka is no mean runner herself, although having juggled a leg injury in this part of the US swing, she is maybe on the back foot a little against Kerber’s dogged resolution. But we’re going to stick by our dark horse pick, certainly projecting the Belarusian as a factor in Week 2.

Azarenka in 3

Tidbits

· After playing in her first WTA main draw match against Venus Williams, it is interesting to note that the elder Williams has won more matches at the US Open than Belinda Bencic has won in her career so far.

· On a side note – you will have seen the news that a remote controlled drone crashed into Armstrong Stadium during the match between Flavia Pennetta and Monica Niculescu – thankfully in a section of empty seats. The drone belonged to a teacher, who apparently lost control of it, so went home only to realise it was his drone that had crashed in the stadium – Daniel Varley, 26, has since been charged with reckless endangerment and operating a drone in a New York City public park outside of a prescribed area, according to Associated Press.

Ros Satar is a regular contributor to 10sballs.com and runs Britwatch Sports (@britwatchsports), because we Brits like watching sport. Occasionally we’re good at it.

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2015 US Open, Angelique Kerber, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Belinda Bencic, BETHANIE Mattek-Sands, Caro Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Genie Bouchard, Ladies tennis, Petra Cetkovska, Petra Kvitova, Ros Satar, Serena Williams, Tennis News, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

September 4, 2015 at 4:35 pm

-@rfsatar LOOKS OVER THE THURSDAY NIGHT-(RE)CAP, DAY 5 MATCHES OF THE DAY & PREVIEWS- http://t.co/ZRsOM4D8gA #USOpen2015 #WTA #tennis