The round of sixteen officially begins on Sunday at the 2008 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Sunday’s biggest showdown is between Jelena Jankovic, the highest ranked player alive in the tournament, and one of the Tour’s rapidly rising stars, Caroline Wozniacki.
Aaress’ Picks for Sunday
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[21] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[2]
I spoke with my colleague Paula Vergara earlier today and she said that the press has been buzzing about Caroline Wozniacki’s amazing run to the fourth round. Hot off her title last Sunday at the Pilot Pen, Wozniacki has not dropped a set at this year’s tournament. She scored a solid 6-4, 6-4 win over her friend and fourteenth seed Victoria Azarenka on Friday, setting up this intriguing round of sixteen encounter with Jelena Jankovic.
The eager Danish teenager will head into Sunday’s showdown as the underdog, but their last and only meeting went to three nail-biting sets earlier this season at Wimbledon. Since then, Jankovic has had a stint at No. 1 and Wozniacki has played the best tennis of her career. Experience will rest on the side of Jankovic, but because she is so injury-prone and inconsistent, I think this one will end with Wozniacki triumphing in three sets.
Prediction: Caroline Wozniacki in three sets.
Elena Dementieva (RUS)[5] v. Na Li (CHN)
Na Li just missed the Beijing Olympic podium after being beaten by two Russians in the semifinals and bronze medal match. Ironically, she never faced Dementieva, the eventual gold medal champion. In a stroke of the draw, Na Li now has a chance to face Dementieva two weeks later at the US Open.
I picked Dementieva for the runner-up trophy ten days ago and thus far nothing has changed my mind. Suddenly, the confidence of winning a big title has pushed Dementieva to play the best tennis of her career on the world’s biggest stage. Now that the draw has been blown open by the exits of Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova, this might be Dementieva’s best chance to take home her first major title.
Prediction: Elena Dementieva in three sets.
Please go here to view the complete schedule of play for Sunday.
She Said What?
Venus Williams when asked if she wished that tennis were a team sport:
“No, I like running it solo. If I have to play, I want to play with Serena doubles, because you can’t lose with her.”
“The part I like about tennis is that you work the hardest and you can choose to get better, and you can mold yourself into a champion.”
What Else is Happening in Flushing Meadows
Onto Asia
World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic has put her US Open loss behind her and is headed for Europe and the Tour’s Asian fall circuit.
USA Television Schedule for Sunday
All times are Eastern.
Men’s 3rd/Women’s 4th – CBS – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Men’s 3rd/Women’s 4th – USA – 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Don’t forget to enter On the Baseline’s Pick the Winner’s contest! The entry deadline for Sunday’s featured match is 10:00 am ET.
