What a fighter Simona Halep is. The Romanian scraped by Sabine Lisicki in three sets to make her first ever quarterfinal appearance in the U.S. Open, fighting injuries and a flaring temper along the way. She’s in for a tough out, though, when she takes on former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka has been nothing short of excellent all tournament long herself, dropping just one set through the first four rounds.
Victoria Azarenka was clinical in dispatching Varvara Lepchenko 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. The former world No. 1 won 70 percent of her first serve points as well as 49 percent of her return points in a well-rounded performance. This match is Azarenka’s fourth-straight U.S. Open quarterfinal, having reached the finals in 2012 and 2013 (both losses to Serena Williams).
[sc:Other240banner ]The Belarussian has been pretty clean with her service game throughout the tournament. She leads all quarterfinalists with a 74 percent first serve percentage. Azarenka has won 65 percent of her first serve points in the tournament as well. She’ll need to remain sharp on serve, facing an excellent baseline player in Simona Halep in the quarterfinals.
Azarenka isn’t too shabby on the return as well. She’s won 48 percent of her return points in the tournament, as well as 49 percent of her break point opportunities. Azarenka should be able to hold her own against Simona Halep’s serve. While the Romanian is solid with her service game, she really doesn’t boast plenty of power, dealing just two aces in her past two matches.
Azarenka is 8-2 in her last 10 matches on hard surfaces.
Betting on Simona Halep
No. 2 seed Simona Halep fought from being a set behind to eventually win 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-2 against Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. Halep had to power through fatigue and a left leg injury in going the distance against Lisicki in the past round. While Halep won just 56 percent of her first serve points in that match, she showed a solid return game by winning 10 of 11 break point opportunities.
An excellent baseline player, Halep also enjoyed a strong return game through the first three rounds of the tournament. She won 52 percent of her return points, as well as 13 of 18 break point opportunities. Breaking Azarenka’s serve should help Halep gain momentum.
An injury to Halep’s left leg remains a concern, though. A bum leg would only hinder the Romanian in using her mobility in extended rallies. She may struggle to get around the court, especially if Azarenka forces her to make sudden changes in direction.
Halep is 12-2 in her last 14 matches on hard court.
Writer’s Prediction
Halep’s injured leg hinders her from getting any sort of momentum. Azarenka (-225) wins in straight sets. Create a betting account now and get the most out of the last Grand Slam of the season.
