US Open: Womens 4th Round Predictions for Day 7

The Top 4 on Day 7

Stosur

1. Laura Robson v Sam Stosur

Laura Robson has created real shockwaves this tournament by beating both Kim Clijsters and Li Na on her way to a historic first appearance in the 4th round of a Grand Slam.  She faces another Grand Slam champion and not just any one because it is the defending champion US Open champion in Sam Stosur.  Stosur has looked in fine form so far this tournament and came through her first test in the 3rd round against Varvara Lepchenko in a 7-6 6-2 win.  Stosur offers something different for Robson compared to Clijsters and Li with her superb kick serve and dangerous forehand.  However Laura has nothing to lose and with my prediction of Clijsters gone, me too! Laura for the win...

Prediction - Robson to beat Stosur in 3 sets

2. Maria Sharapova v Nadia Petrova

Maria Sharapova has sailed through the first three rounds and has yet to be remotely tested so far at the US Open... step forward, Nadia Petrova.  Petrova has had a much more testing path through the draw against Jarmila Gajdosova, Simona Halep and Lucie Safarova, but she has looked equally impressive and is yet to lose a set.  Petrova has the game to trouble anyone, but against Sharapova her mental weaknesses become more apparent.  Sharapova has won eight of their nine encounters and I expect her to improve on that tomorrow...

Prediction - Sharapova to beat Petrova in 2 very tight sets

3. Marion Bartoli v Petra Kvitova

Kvitova

Petra Kvitova has been extremely consistent so far this week and did not even face a break point in a 6-4 6-4 victory over Pauline Parmentier in the third round.  She faces Marion Bartoli in the round of 16 who has had a good week following a pretty dire spell on tour stretching back to April.  This is not a good match-up for Bartoli though who was on the end of a complete roasting in Montreal where Kvitova's all attacking game was on song in a 6-1 6-1 victory.  It is unlikely she can rival that performance, but I am predicting another straight sets winner for the Czech star.

Prediction - Kvitova to beat Bartoli in 2 sets

4. Victoria Azarenka v Anna Tatishvili

Victoria Azarenka was in utterly devastating form in the third round as she disposed of Zheng Jie's challenge in a 6-0 6-1 rout.  Like Sharapova, the extended break since the Olympics seems to have done Azarenka a tonne of good and she looks to be right in the forefront of contenders for this years US Open.  Azarenka is going for her first ever quarter-final at the US Open and she will expect to make it with the unseeded Anna Tatishvili her 4th round opponent.  The Georgian player has taken advantage of the two seeds in her section being knocked out and enjoyed an impressive second round win over Sorana Cirstea.  Anything over than an Azarenka win in this one would be an incredible shock...

Prediction - Azarenka to beat Tatishvili in 2 easy sets

You can view my predictions for the WTA draw at the US Open HERE