US OPEN, New York

The quarterfinalists are set. On the women’s side, three Americans will contest the quarterfinals hoping to get one step closer to the final.

Serena Williams will face a familiar foe, Karolina Pliskova.  The American remembers quite clearly losing to the Czech at this same tournament in 2016. How will Williams fare this time around now that she is a few pounds from her ideal weight and she is no longer in the top ten? I expect Williams will want a little revenge because she does not like to lose.

Like Williams, Sloane Stephens will also face a familiar opponent; however, unlike Williams, Stephens has positive memories of defeating her opponent the last time they played here at the Open. Anastasija Sevastova is the other Latvian in the top twenty that often is forgotten because of her more famous countrywoman, Jelena Ostapenko; however, she is a very talented player in her own right. Stephens leads their head-to-head 2:1.

American Madison Keys played her best match this tournament when she defeated a very tough opponent, Dominika Cibulkova. Keys is hoping she will get back to the final for the second year running; however, she will have to get by Carla Suarez Navarro, who took out Maria Sharapova in straight sets. Keys has never lost to Suarez Navarro; however, all three matches have gone to a deciding set.

First time major quarterfinalist, Naomi Osaka, had to battle her way past a very in form opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, to get here. Osaka hopes that she can keep this up all the way to the title; however, she will have to get by an inspired Lesia Tsurenko, who is also making her first major quarterfinals. Osaka will feel positive given that she won the only time they played; however, Tsurenko seems to be getting better with age.

SOURCE OF IMAGE:  serveandrally original