[3] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) vs. [12] Sloane Stephens (USA)
Since winning the 2017 US Open, Stephens has been living on cloud nine and her recent results reflect that lack of focus. Now she seems ready to re-engage in playing the quality tennis she is capable of.
In their one previous encounter three years ago, Muguruza dismantled Stephens’ game; she won 6-2, 6-0. Today, there would be no repeat of that debacle; Stephens was ready to exact some revenge.
They traded breaks in both sets, but Stephens seemed more in control of her emotions than her opponent. She never panicked, which allowed her to play with clarity, execute her game plan, and defeat her opponent 6-3, 6-4.
SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America: Sloane Stephens)
VENUS’ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MADE THE DIFFERENCE
[8] Venus Williams (USA) vs. [14] Johanna Konta (GBR)
Williams is not old, in the non-athletic world she is young; however, for an athlete, she is considered old. Yet, she does not play like an old person. For two consecutive matches in consecutive days, she has had to battle back from dropping the first set. Today it was not only against the defending champion, it was against an opponent that has beaten her before. Konta broke first and Williams was in all sorts of trouble.
Williams impressed me once again. Frankly, I did not think she could pull it off and to do so only dropping three games in the last two sets was surprising. All the pressure was on the defending champion and given her recent record, it was perhaps inevitable that she would crack. With the momentum fully on her side she should have seized control of the match but Williams would not be denied. Williams came back with a vengeance to win 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio.com (Al Bello/Getty Images North America: Venus Williams)
All I can say is that the woman is AMAZING!! Where does she get the energy to survive those long games and long matches?? So proud of her and hope she makes it all the way!!