Matt Cronin's Picks: Day 9by Matt Cronin
MEN'S FOURTH ROUND, TOP HALFI already posted this part yesterday and since no match was finished, there are no new developments. Most important summary of this part of the draw:The Russian has had a pretty lousy year and didn't play particularly well in the US Open Series events, but he appears committed again, and once he gets on a roll, there are few men who can match him stroke for stroke. That's why he was able to take out Federer Down Under last year. The key to beating big Marat is getting him to move, which isn't easy to do if he's serving bombs.
Haas might be able to do that for a set or two, but without his legs, he won't be able to sustain enough depth in rallies and
will go down in four sets. ;D
Ah, let's make it three - better for the nerves 
MEN'S QUATERFINALS, BOTTOM HALFANDY RODDICK has passed one major and three minor tests en route to this quarterfinal match-up with one of his nemesis', LLEYTON HEWITT. Fernando Verdasco was the only player in Roddick's path who gave him a lot of trouble, and the American passed that fifth-set test with flying colors. But that's a pop quiz, while Hewitt will be an exit exam that he's been preparing for a very long time.
Their first major confrontation came here in 2001, when Roddick was a babe in the woods and was schooled in the fifth set in a riotous quarter. Their second major confrontation came at the 2005 Australian Open, when Hewitt and crowd screamed toward the American all night long in a fourth-set win for Lleyton. They have also played in four U.S.-based Masters Series tournaments on hard courts, with Hewitt winning the first three and Roddick grabbing a critical win at 2005 Cincinnati (Roddick's only other victory over the Aussie came at '04 Queens on grass).
Former US Open champ Hewitt troubles Roddick for two primary reasons: he kills him in crosscourt backhand rallies and he returns his serve beautifully. Hewitt is also quite fast and is still one of the best counterpunchers on tour. Even though Roddick has a much better forehand and serve, he has trouble hitting through him. Both men have improved their all-around games in the past two years, but have been stymied by the Federer-Nadal express.
Roddick and Hewitt play with equal fire and grit and aren't exactly good buddies. There will be no love lost in this match up between two snarling men in bent baseball caps, and it is sure to be one of the most tense and loudest contests so far at the Open. The key for Roddick will be whether he can successfully mix up his serves and get into the net behind well-placed approach shots. Hewitt loves a target and that's what Andy is going to give him, so Roddick has to put away his volleys.
This is a tricky match up for Roddick because he must play aggressive, but he also can't give away points. He walks a very fine line against Hewitt, who still believes he's a better player than the American is. As always, Hewitt is in great form here, and while I could see Mr. Five-Setter pulling out another dramatic win, Andy is due for a huge win at a Slam over him and will take Hewitt down in four sets.
I dislike them both, so it'll be a "hate-match" for me. But gooooood tennis can be expected, I'll stay up tonight!Given how animated he is, RAFAEL NADAL has been very quiet working his way into the US Open quarters. That's because he hasn't had to play his best here yet, but has shown keen focus and now is in a terrific position for an assault on his first title. I seriously underrated the talented MIKHAIL YOUZHNY in the last two rounds, and as much as I love his one-handed backhand and foot speed, I'm not sure if he can get enough depth to push Nadal around. The Spaniard is serving well, hammering his forehand, adeptly placing his backhand and returning consistently. He's gotten so good that he doesn't have to play his best to be able to knock out players outside of the top 10. Grant Youzhny a set based on form, but Rafa will storm through in four.
WOMEN'S QUATERFINALS. TOP HALFThe last time that MARIA SHARAPOVA and TATIANA GOLOVIN played, the Frenchwoman had her on the ropes in the Miami semifinals and then had to retire with a bad ankle injury. It's revenge time for the teen they call Tati, a steady, hard-hitting sort who loves the spotlight as much as Sharapova does. Golovin is very chatty and plays like it, unleashing a barrage of shots that don't end until the conversation about who should have won the point has dried up.
Yes, she can hang with Sharapova in most rallies and is a far better mover, but Maria has a bigger forehand and is serving way better than she did in March. Sharapova just took down another powerful retriever, Na Li, by serving her off the court and controlling points with lethal first shots during her return games. She'll do the same to Golovin, who will make a match of it for a set based on desire and inspiration alone, but who on a fast hard court will not be able to contend with Sharapova's blinding consistency. Sharapova in straight sets.
Let's give No. 1 AMELIE MAURESMO major props for beating Serena Williams in the fourth round. Serena was her greatest nemesis and Mauresmo played a much more directed, inspired contest than the two-time US Open champ did. With that win, Mauresmo is now a serious contender for her first Open crown and third Slam title of the year. No one left in the draw is anywhere as near as consistent as she is at the net, and only Justine Henin-Hardenne mixes high-level offense and defense like she does.
So where does that leave DINARA SAFINA, her quarterfinal foe? Hoping for a career serving and returning day. Safina has very heavy groundstrokes and is fighting harder than she ever has, but she's a little heavy on her feet and has had a cakewalk of a draw. She may be able to freeze Mauresmo at times if she plastering balls into the corners, but the Frenchwoman has too much experience and is a far better athlete. Mauresmo will win going away in two sets.
WOMEN'S QUARTERFINALS, BOTTOM HALFJUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE has hit her highest level again, and that bodes terribly for LINDSAY DAVENPORT, who has lost seven straight matches to the Belgian. Since Justine amped up her forehand and serve in 2003, it's been all downhill for Davenport, who can't find a way to penetrate her armor. Henin is very tough to break, is faster than Davenport is, can mix it up and at times, hits just as hard.
Interestingly, Davenport won their first five contests, but that was long ago. She knows that in order to rush Henin, she has to serve and return huge and play first-strike tennis to perfection. Once Henin gets her moving, the points are essentially over. Davenport will gut out a set in what could possibly be her last appearance here, but Henin will win this one going away in three.
Sixpack guard 
(with the prospect of facing either kolya or andy this should be interesting) 
