Venus Williams’ quest for a third US Open title is still very much alive after recording a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over Carla Suarez Navarro in the fourth round on Sunday. It was a gritty performance by the former world no. 1 who needed one hour and 50 minutes to produce the three-set victory. With the win, Williams reached the quarterfinal stage at Flushing Meadows for the 12th time in her storied career.
Playing in front of a partisan crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams displayed the aggressiveness that made her one of the best players of her generation. She drilled a whopping 31 winners in her victory against Suarez Navarro. Williams is averaging 23 winners per match in this tournament thus far.
Next up for the ageless Williams is a quarterfinal clash with Petra Kvitova. They have faced each other once in a Grand Slam setting before with Williams losing a tough three-setter to Kvitova in the third round of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. For Williams to emerge victorious this time around, she will need to find ways to limit her miscues. She committed 32 unforced errors in the win against Suarez Navarro. Williams has recorded an incredible 98 unforced errors over her first four matches in this year’s US Open.
Petra Kvitova stormed into the quarterfinals of the 2017 US Open with a stunning 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over third seed Garbine Muguruza on Sunday. It was an impressive showing by the two-time Wimbledon champion, who needed one hour and 46 minutes to eliminate the Spaniard. It has been a dream run for the returning Kvitova who is in the quarterfinals in New York for only the second time in 10 tournament appearances.
Providing the impetus for Kvitova’s victory was her excellent serve. She won 78 percent of his first serve points against Muguruza. Kvitova will look to continue her terrific form in the last eight when she takes on fan favorite Venus Williams. Kvitova will be licking her chops at the prospect of facing Williams as she is 4-1 against the 37-year-old veteran in their head-to-head matchup. They have faced each other four times on the hard courts before with the Czech star holding a 3-1 advantage.
For Kvitova to extend her dominance tomorrow night, she needs to continue her solid return play and put pressure once again on Williams’ serve. Kvitova won 48 percent of her receiving points in the fourth round against Muguruza with the No. 13 seed converting four of her seven break point chances.
Writer’s Prediction
Williams (+105) edges past Kvitova in a three-set thriller.
