Francesca Schiavone [6] vs. Venus Williams [3] (Arthur Ashe Stadium, third match)
There were plenty of questions about these two before the U.S. Open began. Williams hadn’t played since Wimbledon, where she lost in straight sets to Tsvetana Pironkova. Schiavone was just 3-6 after she won Roland Garros, apparently basking in the happily-ever-afterglow of her Cinderella Slam title. Not that you can blame the 30-year-old vet.
But throughout this tournament, Schiavone and Williams have answered back. Neither woman has lost a set so far. Schiavone most recently defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-0, whereas Williams bested No. 16 Shahar Peer in the round of 16. Admittedly, they were slotted in a kind quarter of the draw, but to go through four rounds unscathed is always noteworthy.
One of their winning streaks will end, of course, after their quarterfinal contest on Tuesday. Based on their history, look for Williams, who’s won all seven of their meetings, to remain lossless. In their two matches this year, Schiavone took the opening set, forcing Williams to reply. She did, winning 12 of the final 15 games both times.
The fast surface also plays in Williams’ favor. Schiavone has done well to dispel her clay-court specialist label this week, but she hasn’t faced anyone with Williams’ firepower. If the American can keep Schiavone tethered to the baseline with strong serving and ground strokes—and respond to the Italian’s net rushes with some forays of her own—she should prevail.
The pick: Williams in two
Ed McGrogan is an assistant editor for TENNIS.com. Follow him on Twitter.