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Australian Open Day 8 Preview: Italian Men and American Women Challenge Top Seeds

Published

3 years ago

14/02/2021

Matthew Marolf

Matteo Berrettini is looking to reach his second Major quarterfinal (twitter.com/AustralianOpen)

Three American women and two Italian men will play on Rod Laver Arena and vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Two of those American women are unseeded, and will look to upset top five players. The other was a semifinalist at the last hard court Major, and may be a favorite to repeat that result this week. The men from Italy will also face top five seeds, in a 20-time Major champion and a 22-year-old from Greece. And two Russian men are just one round away from a highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash.

Each day during this fortnight, this preview will analyze the day’s most prominent matches, and note the other intriguing matchups on the schedule. Monday’s play will begin at 11:00am local time.

Elina Svitolina (5) vs. Jessica Pegula – 11:00am on RLA

Both women are yet to lose a set, despite facing some stiff competition: Svitolina in Coco Gauff, and Pegula in Victoria Azarenka. And both women have improved as the tournament has progressed. Svitolina allowed Yulia Putintseva only four games in the last round, and Pegula dropped just four games across her last four sets. Their only previous match was just last month in Abu Dhabi, with Svitolina winning in straight sets. The 26-year-old American has an aggressive ground game, and has practically broken opponents at will. Through three rounds, Pegula has earned 16 breaks of serve. This is new territory for Jessica, who is making her debut in the second week of a Major. Svitolina’s second serve points won was below 50% in her first two rounds, so it will be crucial to keep that closer to the 71% she achieved in the third round. Based on their recent encounter, and Svitolina’s advantages in the movement and experience departments, Elina should be able to reach her third quarterfinal in Melbourne.

Jennifer Brady (22) vs. Donna Vekic (28) – Second on RLA

25-year-old Brady has become one of the WTA’s most impressive performers since the tour restart last summer. She won her first WTA title in Lexington, then achieved her first Slam semifinal, pushing eventual champion Naomi Osaka to the limit in an excellent match. And Brady dominated during the first week here, with no opponent winning more than three games in a set. Jen has a great serve and a formidable forehand, resulting in only one break of her serve thus far, and a total of 66 winners. Vekic survived a grueling match with Kaia Kanepi two days ago, saving match points in an emotional comeback victory. This is Donna’s fourth time in the round of 16 at a Major, but this appearance is quite a surprise, as she came into this event on a six-match losing streak. Brady will be the one who can better dictate play, and should be able to control whether her destiny includes a spot in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

Rafael Nadal (2) vs. Fabio Fognini (16) – Not Before 3:00pm on RLA

Nadal leads their head-to-head 12-4, with a 6-1 edge on hard courts. But Fognini’s only win on this surface was significant. It came at the 2015 US Open, when Fabio became the only man to defeat Rafa from two sets down at a Major. In those last three sets, the Italian simply redlined and hit the 20-time Slam champ right off the court. In his recent autobiography, “Warning: My Life Among the Lines,” Fognini described Nadal as “A volcano energy explosion, guided by discipline and method.” So Fabio has the utmost respect for Rafa, but with four previous victories, he also believes he can beat him. Nadal came into this tournament with lower back issues, though he’s seem rather unbothered. Rafa has not dropped a set, and has gone back to his normal service motion as his back has improved. And Nadal is 12-0 in his last twelve fourth round matches at this event. I like Rafa’s chances to make that a baker’s dozen on Monday.

Ash Barty (1) vs. Shelby Rogers – Not Before 7:00pm on RLA

These two just played 11 days ago at this same venue, with Barty prevailing in a 10-point tiebreak after they split the first two sets. There’s been some concern regarding the wrapping on Ash’s hamstring, and she pulled out of the doubles event last week. But the world No.1 appeared unhampered two days ago in a solid win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. Like the other American women in action today, Rogers is currently playing the best tennis of her career. She’s coming off a quarterfinal run at the last hard court Major, when she upset Petra Kvitova in a third set tiebreak. The 28-year-old also defeated Serena Williams last summer in Lexington, and is yet to drop a set this fortnight. Thus far, Rogers has won an impressive 80% of first serve points. If Shelby can maintain that level against Ash, she’s fully capable of upsetting Barty, especially with the Australian at less than 100%.

Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) vs. Matteo Berrettini (9) – Last on RLA

The big question in this matchup is how Berrettini will feel after enduring pain in his rib area during the third set against Karen Khachanov two days ago. The 24-year-old Italian was able to overcome the injury and defeat the Russian in three consecutive tiebreaks. Tsitsipas overcame a stern five-set test from Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round, but otherwise has only dropped nine games in six sets played. Both players have been in strong form since the start of the ATP Cup two weeks ago. They played in the first round of this event two years ago, with Tsitsipas winning in four tight sets. They also met in the second round of qualifying at the 2017 US Open, with Stefanos advancing in a deciding set tiebreak. If Berrettini is healthy, this should be another good battle today. Though based on their past, and considering Matteo’s injury, Tsitsipas must be favored.

Other Notable Matches on Day 8:

ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev (4) vs. Mackenzie McDonald, a 25-year-old American who also reached the fourth round at Wimbledon three years ago. Medvedev has won his last 17 matches, though he required five sets to finish off Filip Krajinovic on Saturday.

Andrey Rublev (7) vs. Casper Ruud (24). Both men had excellent 2020 seasons: Rublev with 41 wins and five titles, and Rudd with 22 wins and one title. Andrey is 2-0 against Casper, with both matches taking place within the last two years on clay.

In what should be a highly-entertaining affair, Elise Mertens (18) vs. Karolina Muchova (25). Mertens claimed their only previous meeting in straight sets, four months ago on this same surface. Neither woman has dropped a set through three rounds.

Monday’s full order of play is here.

Focus

Stefanos Tsitsipas Saves Two Match Points To Extend Winning Streak In Barcelona

Stefanos Tsitsipas survived a scare to reach the Barcelona semi-finals.

Published

12 hours ago

19/04/2024

Tony Fairbairn

(@atptour - Twitter)

Stefanos Tsitsipas saved two match points to defeat Facundo Diaz Acosta 4-6 6-3 7-6(8) in Barcelona.

The former finalist saved two match points against the inspired Argentinian as Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals.

It means Tsitsipas is 9-0 in the clay court season and has the chance to set up a potential rematch with Casper Ruud in the final.

The duo met in last week’s Monte-Carlo final where Tsitsipas claimed his third title in Monaco.

Speaking after the match Tsitsipas admitted it was difficult to sustain his level, “I was coming close [to losing] at certain moments in the match. It seemed like a mountain,” Tsitsipas stated to the ATP website.

“I reminded myself that I have a headband that I wear here that has a mountain and that I need to climb it, so it kept me going. It was difficult. It was extremely difficult to sustain the same level throughout the entire match and I think he played incredible.

“I think he left everything out there. He is a good clay-court player. He has a title on the ATP Tour for a reason and today it was a level he was able to bring out on the court that made it quite obvious.

“I got a little bit tense on my serve, I won’t lie. I think I started decelerating a lot, but once I got a hold of that I was conscious of that, it went back to where it belonged and helped me a lot in the tie-breaker because if I didn’t figure it out, I don’t know. It was very mental in general. I really had to go to uncomfortable places mentally and go over the limit at some point.”

Tsitsipas is currently seven in the world in the live rankings as the Greek is looking to claim his first title in Barcelona.

Next up for the Greek will be either Dusan Lajovic or Arthur Fils while Tomas Martin Etcheverry takes on Casper Ruud in the other semi-final.

Focus

Elena Rybakina Looking To Adapt To Clay, Reaches Stuttgart Semi-Finals

Elena Rybakina has admitted it takes time to adapt to clay as she prepares for the semi-finals in Stuttgart.

Published

16 hours ago

19/04/2024

Tony Fairbairn

(@WeAreTennis - Twitter)

Elena Rybakina is into the semi-finals in Stuttgart after a 6-3 5-7 6-3 win over Jasmine Paolini.

After surviving a three set match against Veronika Kudermetova in her first round, Rybakina continued to struggle on the clay against the Italian.

However the former Wimbledon champion produced some big tennis in vital moments in order to reach the last four in Germany.

Although she has had success in the past on the clay, Rybakina knows that it will take time for her to adapt on the surface.

Speaking after her win over Kudermetova Rybakina explained the reasons why it is difficult to have immediate success on clay, “Well, I always believed that I can play good on clay. My first win on the WTA was on clay,” Rybakina was quoted by tennis365 as saying.

“It’s just the season is quite short, and of course me, for example, I need a bit more time to get used, to adapt, to play some matches. But overall I think that I can play well on all the surfaces. Last year it was a great tournament in Rome, and then the French Open, I actually feel also well there.

“I like the courts. It’s just I was unlucky with sickness, so I think I’m doing pretty well for now. I like a faster surface, and I think in Madrid it’s quite fast. For now I was not successful there, but I think that’s a great tournament for me.

“Rome was nice. As I said, French Open, I like the courts. It’s just the question of good preparation and being healthy. And then it all depends on you and of course on the opponent.”

Last year Rybakina claimed the title in Rome and was one of the favourites for Roland Garros.

However the Kazakh had to withdraw in the third round due to illness which hampered her progress throughout the season.

Now Rybakina will look to make amends for that as she is into the semi-finals in Stuttgart where she will play either defending champion Iga Swiatek or Emma Raducanu.

Focus

Rafael Nadal Takes Positives From Barcelona Exit Against Alex De Minaur

Rafael Nadal exited the tournament in Barcelona in the second round to Alex De Minaur.

Published

3 days ago

17/04/2024

Tony Fairbairn

(@bcnopenbs - Twitter)

Rafael Nadal believes that he can be competitive for Roland Garros despite his 7-5 6-1 defeat to Alex De Minaur in Barcelona.

The 12-time champion suffered a straight sets defeat to the in-form Australian in the second round.

There was a valiant comeback from Nadal in the opening set as he recovered from a break down to get back onto level terms.

However De Minaur was too strong for Nadal as the world number eleven won nine of the last ten games to set up a third round meeting with Daniel Altmaier or Arthur Fils.

After the match Nadal congratulated De Minaur on the victory and analysed his own performance, “I mean Alex is a great player but honestly no, in terms of tennis today he’s in better shape than me so he is playing at a really high level since the beginning of the season, I think he made a really important step forward in his level of tennis,” Nadal told reporters in Barcelona.

“So just happy for him and congratulate him for the level he played today. And I think I was able to show myself most important to show the world and show myself when I was really trying and showed a high percentage of intensity, my level was there to compete.

“And I didn’t practice a lot so that encourages me to keep going and tells me that if I spend the day on the tour and keep practicing with the players on this surface, I really hope and really believe that I can keep being competitive and my body will allow me to push the way that I know.”

The defeat to De Minaur was Nadal’s third match all season having struggled with injury with the Spaniard hinting this could be his last time playing in Barcelona.

Despite the loss Nadal admits he feels happier and more comfortable than he did a couple of weeks ago, “I feel much more comfortable and much more happier today than one week and a half ago,” Nadal explained.

“I managed to play two matches, playing against great players and I mean when I was able to play I was not very far without a doubt. And I feel myself that if I’m able to keep practicing days on the tour and if my body allows me to spend hours on court and have the practices the way that I need.”

Now the next goal for Nadal is to try to reclaim his Roland Garros title, a tournament he has won on 14 different occasions.

As for Roland Garros Nadal just hopes he can be competitive for the second Grand Slam of the season as he intensifies his preparations over the next few weeks, “I hope to be competitive, that’s the truth and I hope and believe that I can be competitive in a few weeks,” Nadal stated.

“That’s the way I need to perceive today and my final goal is to give myself a chance to be realistically competing at Roland Garros. In my tennis career I was able to compete at the highest level at every single tournament, trying to win tournaments and I was not able to do it today.

“But I hope to be ready in a few weeks.”

Before Roland Garros, Nadal will hope to play in Madrid which starts on the 25th of April.