NEW YORK—Sam Stosur came into today's quarterfinal against Vera Zvonareva having won her last seven matches against the Russian (7-2 overall) and on a bit of a run. The Aussie recently reached the Toronto final and even more recently defeated Maria Kirilenko on Grandstand—the same court she played on today—this after losing a second-set tiebreaker 17-15. But despite all of that, I still fancied Zvonareva's chances. The No. 2 seed has been uber-reliable at the majors over the last three years, reaching the semifinals (or better) in four of her last eight Grand Slam appearances. Stosur, on the other had, has been a huge disappointment since her inspiring run to the 2010 French Open final—and one-sided defeat there, to Francesca Schaivone—reaching the quarterfinal stage of a Slam just once before this week.
Zvonareva brushed aside hard-serving Sabine Lisicki to reach this stage of the tournament, but the kick-serving Stosur proved to be a much greater challenge. Stosur served impeccably, surrendering no break opportunities during her clinical, 6-3, 6-3 victory. Though she had just four service winners, Stosur won 84 percent of her first-serve points, dominating the rallies. She finished the match with nearly triple her opponent's winner count, but it was Stosur's defense that impressed me most. Known for a lethal forehand that tends to break down over time, the shot more than held up today, and it Zvonareva who more often caved during extended exchanges.
That was rarely more evident than on match point, which Zvonareva faced after a double fault. It was Zvonareva who dictated where the ball was going with many well-struck ground strokes, as she's so often done over the past few seasons. It was Stosur who was moving, but reacting well. But as had been happening for the previous hour, Zvonareva came up short, in the point and now the match. Her well-earned No. 2 ranking should take a slight tumble, while Stosur has a glorious chance to reach her second career Grand Slam final, facing the winner of the Flavia Pennetta-Angelique Kerber match.
—Ed McGrogan