There are just two singles matches being played today. On Ashe stadium, following a women's doubles semifinal, and the mixed doubles final, Gilles Muller takes on Roger Federer, in the first of today's men's quarterfinals. It will be on court no sooner than 2 p.m. EST. Muller has so far defeated Tommy Haas, Nicolas Almagro and world number 5 Nikolay Davydenko. He's one of two lefties remaining in the draw. Unsurprisingly, his head-to-head against Federer is 0-2, with both matches having taken place in 2005, on hardcourts, and resulting in straight-set defeats.
This evening, the last men's quarterfinal will be played, no earlier than 8.15 p.m. EST. It features last year's finalist, Novak Djokovic, versus 2003 Champion Andy Roddick. The head-to-head between the two is 1-1, and strangely symmetrical. Roddick won their last encounter, 7-6, 6-3, on his way to the title in Dubai earlier this year. Roddick also notched up a victory over then world number two Rafael Nadal that week. Djokovic's 7-6, 6-4 defeat of Roddick came in 2007, on his way to the title in Montrreal - and that same week, Djokovic not only defeated Roddick, then ranked 3, but the world numbers one and two also fell to him. Roddick has been playing well this fortnight, and his last two victories, over Andreas Seppi and Fernando Gonzalez, have been fairly comfortable three-set encounters. Djokovic has played four sets against Marin Cilic, and five gruelling sets against Tommy Robredo in the previous two rounds. On balance, I think that Roddick has the edge today.
Player of the Day:
Andy Murray, who reached his first US Open semifinal (in fact, his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal) by defeating Juan Martin Del Potro, 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-5. Del Potro's 23-match winning streak was finally broken, but he didn't give it up without a fight, weary as he looked after losing the first two sets in tiebreaks. The match contained some notable mini-comebacks by both players, and was played with ferocious intensity. In winning this match, Murray also claimed his highest-yet career ranking, as he will be number four on Monday.
Weather Report:
Today is forecast to be hot and sunny. The only unsettled day in prospect is Super Saturday, when heavy showers are likely.
As always, enjoy today's tennis.
