An interesting day of tennis awaits at the US Open today as we see some of the big guns come up against each other in the women's game and we see some of the higher rated men given tricky opponents to deal with. Reflecting on yesterday and with great disappointment the world tour said goodbye to the singles career of Kim Clijsters after she lost to 18 year old Laura Robson. She was a mere shadow of the women who won three titles here in her last three appearances but credit must be given to Robson who gave a very good showing on Arthur Ashe and can look forward to a tie with Li Na in the next round.
On to today and 23rd seed Mardy Fish faces dangerous Russian Nikolay Davydenko in his second round match knowing he will need to be playing at a high level to progress. We know Davydenko has had shoulder problems recently and even at that he isn't the same proposition he was just a couple of year ago. Fish likes these hard courts and will have a nice crowd following him and I'd expect him to win through in three or four sets. Another American will be closely monitored today as Serena Williams takes on Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and although she shouldn't have any problems with her tennis we do know she suffered a nasty ankle injury in doubles yesterday and we can only hope she hasn't done any major damage as she looks to win her fourth US Open title. Pick of the games today is that between Angelique Kerber and American Venus Williams. Williams looked impressive so far and although she struggles with fitness at different times she does still have to game to compete with the very best. I think this one will go the way of the German Kerber, who I believe is going to have a very big tournament. The winner of this game will be sending out a strong statement of intent and I would expect the winner to go another few rounds at least.
More American action takes place on the outside courts where Sam Querrey should have too much firepower for Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo. Querrey has been solid this Summer and will look to have a good fortnight in front of his home support and a win today could give him a shot at Thomas Berdych in the next round. Exciting youngster Sloane Stephens returns to court to face Tatjana Malek having already dispatched Francesca Schiavone. I think Stephens is going a long way at this tournament and I see her winning this one in straight sets to meet Ana Ivanovic in what would be an interesting match. James Blake tries to extend his run at this years Open but is going to be up against it against Marcel Granollers. I don't think he will come through but he should have enough to force it to four or five sets. Jack Sock also represents the Americans today when he faces Flavio Cipolla and I think that might be a chance for him to reach the third round here and give himself a real boost going forward into next year.
Roger Federer should have no problems when he faces Bjorn Phau despite having lost to him before, with that loss coming back in 1999. Roger should be looking to lay down a marker for the rest of the tournament having seen Djokovic in imperious form in his opener. The match of the day in the men's game could be that of Milos Raonic and Paul Henri Mathieu. Both came through five set matches on Tuesday and both looked like they were heading out of the tournament. Mathieu is a real fighter and will be dogged in his approach to tonight but I think we will see a much improved performance from Raonic. He was caught out by an extremely aggressive Santiago Giraldo and he won't want to leave it down to his opponent anymore. He needs to take complete control and dominate the game and with a serve like his that shouldn't be a problem. The thing with Raonic is that the further into the event he gets the better he will become and the bigger the occasion the more he seems to excel and that potential fourth round meeting with Murray is one which will capture the New York crowds and give him his chance to announce himself on the Grand Slam stage. That said, to make that match happen he needs to win tonight and I expect him to in three sets. Thomas Berdych's performance is one I'm interested in seeing tonight. I was impressed with his opener and if he can reproduce that form again tonight then he can be considered a real threat. I think Berdych has found his form at the right time and he could be the one to upset Federer in the quarter finals, at a time when he's been written off by most. I expect him to beat Jurgen Zopp in straight sets. There should also be wins for Simon, Cilic and Tsonga while in the women's Bertens and Pironkova should progress while Shvedova could upset Vinci.
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