U.S. Open Tourney: Day 9 Matchup Odds and Picks
By Charles Bricker
(3) Rafael Nadal vs. (13) Gael Monfils
This is the third time they've played this year, with Monfils winning in Doha and Nadal in Rotterdam. This, however, is the first time they've met in a major with Nadal holding a 4-1 head-to-head edge.
You'd feel more comfortable about Nadal winning the Open if his play were more consistent, but it's good enough to get him through this match and into the quarters.
His serve is still not quite where he wants it and he's playing his second serve too safe. Also not evident are enough of the big plays that you're used to seeing from him. He had a struggle with Nicolas Almagro and he'll struggle to win this one, too. Nevertheless . . .
Pick: Nadal
(7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (11) Fernando Gonzalez
Surprisingly, they've never played each other. Tsonga has quietly worked himself through the first week because there has been so much attention on Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, the Williams sisters and three unranked Americans -- Taylor Dent, Melanie Oudin and John Isner.
Two very similar players here whose stock-in-trade is muscle the ball, though I'll take Gonzo because there's a bit of finesse and a lot more experience to his game. Tsonga is a future star, but he's not there yet.
Pick: Gonzalez
(18) Na Li vs. Kim Clijsters
Li has lost only 18 games in four matches without the loss of a set as she has cruised through this Open. But her odyssey ends here because Clijsters' continuing improvement is so good she can't be dismissed as a title winner.
She played a flawless opening set in beating Venus Williams in three on Sunday, then seemed to relax in the second -- not hitting the ball as big and backing off her serve.
Then stepped it up again in the third. Nevertheless, that was a supreme comeback test with Williams and she passed. Clijsters leads the head to head here 3-1, but they haven't played since 2007.
Pick: Clijsters
(2) Serena Williams vs. (10) Flavia Pennetta
Williams hasn't lost a set in one of the coziest draws she's ever seen in a Grand Slam, including not having to play Sybille Bammer in the first week. Bammer had beaten Williams a couple weeks ago, but was upset early in the Open.
So Serena hasn't been tested yet, and certainly not by No. 22 Daniela Hantuchova, from whom she won the last 10 games on Sunday. She's going to be extended here, but I can't pick against her, even though Pennetta is having her career best year.
Two 27-year-olds with over 1,000 combined matches, but they've only played once, with Serena winning in splits in 2008 at Key Biscayne, Fl. Williams gave her a walkover in one other match, so it doesn't count as a win or loss.
Pick: Williams
Yesterday's record: 2-2
Tourney record: 17-10