The second week of the
US Open begins with a stacked
schedule of action. Our Day Seven
preview takes you through it all as Quarter-Final spots are on the line at Flushing Meadows.
Among those involved on Arthur Ashe Stadium include
Iga Swiatek,
Novak Djokovic and
Coco Gauff, three of the respective favourites from the ATP and WTA Draws to lift the titles next weekend.
Swiatek-Ostapenko headlines night session
The night session match on Arthur Ashe will not be Novak Djokovic this time, in fact it will be a player who doesn't like playing in this spot in Iga Swiatek, the current World No.1.
The Pole has previously said that she has even complained about playing late due to her sleep schedule and would rather play on a lesser show court. But perhaps, it is the battle of two Grand Slam champions and also the drama her opponent often gives that has put this in prime spot.
That being Jelena Ostapenko. Never one to shy away from tennis aggro and showing her emotions, she will look to break down the steely resolve of Swiatek again.
Based off their Head to Head too, she has her number in previous ties and could be Swiatek's biggest test. The Latvian sits at 3-0 in their Head to Head with victories in Birmingham (2019), Indian Wells (2021) and Dubai (2022) so at differing parts of Swiatek's dominance.
Swiatek could yet just steamroller through, but going into the match, it is one that could trouble her.
Gauff-Wozniacki other standout WTA match
Second up though on Arthur Ashe sees worlds collide as Coco Gauff will face
Caroline Wozniacki for the very first time.
Often with Wozniacki coming back after three years away, it could give some dream matches with the current crop and that is exactly what this is.
Gauff reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and was firmly a player on the rise, when Wozniacki hung up her racquet in 2020. It was a match that the American admitted she was sad that she never got, but she will second up on Arthur Ashe.
Gauff has been going about her business superbly albeit had to come from a set down to defeat Elise Mertens as well as Laura Siegemund, with the latter mainly due to the type of match that was played. But while she has lived up to her favourite tag thus far, Wozniacki will be out to snatch it away.
The Dane only won once in Canada before New York with an early loss to Varvara Gracheva in Cincinnati, but has lived up to the moniker of form is temporary, class is permanent delighting with wins over Petra Kvitova and Jennifer Brady over the last two rounds. But can she upset the apple cart again?
Djokovic-Gojo and Paul-Shelton headline men's action
Also on Arthur Ashe stadium on Sunday night is Novak Djokovic continuing his march to a potentially 24th Grand Slam. He came from two sets down against Laslo Djere and now has Borna Gojo, a qualifier who has not minced his words about tennis and the atmosphere during the tournament.
Many have called this Djokovic's easiest run at a Grand Slam in years, but can Gojo do what Djere didn't and finish off Novak if he gets an opportunity.
While in the opener on Arthur Ashe is two of America's finest as Tommy Paul who has latched onto the train set off by Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will look to do what he did to Ben Shelton a round earlier in New York.
They faced off in the Quarter-Finals of the Australian Open earlier in the year with Paul prevailing. But come what may, it will be one entertaining watch and also an American will be assured of a Quarter-Final spot.
Muchova, Fritz and Tiafoe set for Louis Armstrong Stadium
Over on Louis Armstrong, it will be the turn of two more Americans again to play back to back with each other, so it could yet be three into the Quarter-Finals from the men's draw tonight.
It is two David v Goliath tasks as Rinky Hijikata as a wildcard faces Frances Tiafoe, while Dominic Stricker who was part of the wide open section after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas.
A big night for the Americans and also for those looking to spoil home hopes. Also on Louis Armstrong is tenth seed in the women's again going about her business in Karolina Muchova. She faces Xinyu Wang.
While as a result of Elena Rybakina's demise, it is Sorana Cirstea v Belinda Bencic for a spot in the Quarter-Finals second up.
Sunday, September 03, 2023 | | | | |
Day 7 | | | | |
Arthur Ashe Stadium Starts At 12:00 PM | | | | |
R16 | Tommy Paul | VS | Ben Shelton | |
R16 | Caroline Wozniacki | VS | Coco Gauff | |
R16 | Borna Gojo | VS | Novak Djokovic | |
Starts At 9:00 PM | | | | |
R16 | Iga Swiatek | VS | Jelena Ostapenko | |
Louis Armstrong Stadium Starts At 11:00 AM | | | | |
R16 | Karolina Muchova | VS | Xinyu Wang | |
R16 | Sorana Cirstea | VS | Belinda Bencic | |
R16 | Rinky Hijikata | VS | Frances Tiafoe | |
R16 | Dominic Stricker | VS | Taylor Fritz | |