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Men’s Singles
(7) Richard Gasquet (France) vs (9) Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) [Head-to-head: Gasquet leads 1-0]
[Only meeting: Paris Masters 2006 (Carpet), Gasquet won 7-5 6-1]
Single-handed backhands are a treat to behold, even more so when they are well executed. Gasquet and Wawrinka are amongst the finest exponents of that art in the men’s game and that’s why this is a game that you cannot afford to take your eyes off.
2013 has been a revelation for both players; they are having one of their best seasons on tour. They hold almost identical records – Gasquet is 25-8 and Wawrinka is 26-9. Gasquet has 2 titles, at Doha and Montpellier, both on hard courts. Stan won the event at Estoril on clay beating David Ferrer.
As can be seen, there isn’t much to separate the two. Why this year has been special for both is the fact that they are back in the mainstream after a long hiatus. When they initially appeared on the stage, big things were expected from both Gasquet and Wawrinka. It was no surprise considering the quality of their games, somehow they failed to maintain that level and consequently fell out of the top 10. Now they’re back where they belong and ready to take the next step at this event as neither has managed to get past the 4th round here. Wawrinka for 3 years running (2010, 2011, 2012) has succumbed at this stage while his opponent today has done it 2 years in a row (2011, 2012).
Their last meeting was close to eons ago and we can’t really read much into it. Wawrinka had a bit of an injury scare coming into the tournament and almost withdrew. He’s lost a set in 2 out of 3 rounds, whether that’s down to injury we won’t know. Gasquet has been mighty impressive meanwhile with straight sets victories on each occasion.
One of these 2 combatants is going to cross that chasm of the 4th round come the end of the day. The French home support will be behind Gasquet, but Wawrinka is equally well-loved in these parts. Both of their games are just so beautiful to watch that neutrals would have a hard time picking a favourite. A match not to be missed for those who like great shot-making.
[Expected start: 6.30 pm IST]
Women’s Singles
(2) Maria Sharapova vs (17) Sloane Stephens [Head-to-head: Sharapova leads 2-0]
[Last meeting: Rome 2013 (Clay), R16, Sharapova won 6-2 6-1]
Can Sloane Stephens go one better from last year?
She will have to take out the defending champion Maria Sharapova if she is to meet that objective. The good news is that this is as good a time as any to take out the Russian. Maria hasn’t exactly been cruising; she was not tested in the first 2 rounds, but when Zheng Jie took it to her in Round 3 she appeared a little rattled.
And that serve of her tends to go walkabout when under pressure; she dished out 8 double faults in that match, 6 of which came in that tight second set. Sharapova’s powerful hitting from the back of the court is hard to displace, unless of course you’re Serena Williams who can pretty much do anything.
Stephens has been playing solid and her 3 set win over in the previous round should give her some confidence. At the Australian Open, she went on to upset Serena and that was a major result for the youngster. So, she knows that she can get it done at this level.
Crucial to Sharapova’s game will be how well she serves; if she gets it right, that would be 90% of the job done as then her game can develop around it. Sharapova has gotten better at clay over the years from the “like a cow on ice” analogy that she used to describe herself on the surface. Stephens will be keen to ask a few questions and Sharapova isn’t the greatest mover and as such will come up with fewer defensive plays.
Unforced errors and service points will be the keys to the game for both players – this one could go either way.
[Expected start: 8.30 pm IST]
(3) Victoria Azarenka vs Francesca Schiavone [Head-to-head: Azarenka leads 2-1]
[Last meeting: US Open 2009 (Hard), R32, Schiavone won 4-6 6-2 6-2]
On paper, this should be an easy win for Azarenka – Schiavone is ranked 50th, she is ranked 3rd; Schiavone is 11-12 this year, whereas she is 22-2. This is a match of many gulfs, not least of which is the 9 year difference in age between the 2 competitors – Azarenka is 23, Schiavone 32. ‘Vika’ in her relatively short career has already won 10 more titles than the Italian; she has 16 career titles.
The Milanese battler though has won this Grand Slam before and Victoria hasn’t. Clay is one of Schiavone’s most favoured surfaces and it was no surprise when her maiden Slam success came here in 2010. This week she has looked extremely good, the level of her tennis has been championship calibre. She was taken to 3 sets in her 2nd round match by Kirsten Flipkens, but otherwise she has had a comfortable run so far. She really turned it on in her previous match against Marion Bartoli. The way she was hitting the winners and more importantly the manner in which she constructed her points so well, was a startling feature of her play. She is coming into this match with a lot of confidence.
The same cannot be said of the World No.3. Holding serve has been a struggle for Azarenka all week and she hasn’t looked at her sharpest. She was a little fortunate in her previous round match with Alize Cornet, the Frenchwoman failed to make the most of her opportunities. Playing Schiavone will be a huge level up for Azarenka and she will have to cut out the cheap points that she has been conceding to opponents.
Both of Azarenka’s wins over Schiavone have come on clay including one at this very tournament in the Round of 32 way back in 2008. Schiavone has a lot of variety to her game and that’s something Azarenka will have to contend with. The Italian is a dogged fighter who will not give up on points easily and her movement is one of the best. Azarenka to her credit is the best defender on the women’s circuit and is really good at turning defence into attack. She will have to keep a watch on her serve though which has been a moot point this week.
It’s a clash that promises to be a feisty affair and one with a potential for an upset.
[Expected start: 2.30 pm IST]
