US Open: Venus Williams headlines American charge in action at Flushing Meadows
Tuesday 5 September 2017 20:16, UK
Venus Williams will lead an American charge aiming to reach the semi-finals of the US Open on Tuesday.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has reached her 12th quarter-final in New York and will meet the two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the headline match of the day.
Sloane Stephens and Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey are the two other American players in action on Tuesday at Flushing Meadows.
Williams, this year's Wimbledon runner-up, continues to be a model of consistency at the Grand Slams and the 37-year-old will look to maintain her chances of winning the US Open for the first time since 2001.
However, she will face the in-form Kvitova, who has shown signs of a return to her best form which seemed scarcely imaginable following the shocking knife attack she suffered last year.
US tennis in rude health
Stephens has enjoyed a fantastic summer hard-court swing following a long injury break which sent her world ranking spiralling.
The 24-year-old will meet Anastasija Sevastova, who ended the hopes of Maria Sharapova at her comeback Grand Slam, in her maiden US Open quarter-final in a first meeting between the pair.
Meanwhile, in the men's draw, Sam Querrey continues to impress at his home slam and sent a message to the rest of the draw with his ruthless dismissal of Mischa Zverev in the fourth round, which included 18 aces and 55 winners.
Querrey will next face another big-hitter in South African 28th seed Kevin Anderson and acknowledges he faces a tough battle on his hands.
"He's tough," said Querrey. "Got a big game. He's another one that is tough to play. He doesn't give you much rhythm. He can go games where he's serving huge, you don't get a ball in play. He takes big cuts from start to finish.
"If he's on and he is dialled in, he's one of the toughest guys to play out there. You have to weather the storm against him, know he's going to have some brilliant shots. But I feel like when my game's on, I have a dangerous game as well."
Short in stature, big in heart
The first match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium schedule will feature two players in their maiden US Open quarter-final appearance.
Pablo Carreno Busta, the 12th seed, ended the hopes of Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov in the fourth round and will meet Diego Schwartzman.
Carreno Busta has enjoyed a consistent season and is appearing in his second Grand Slam quarter-final of the year after reaching the last eight at the French Open.
Meanwhile, Schwartzman, the world No 33, defeated French 16th seed Lucas Pouille in the last 16 to secure a best ever appearance at a Grand Slam to book a meeting with the Spaniard.
Sky Sports Tennis will have all the action from the US Open covered via our website www.skysports.com/tennis with our live blogs and updates throughout the fortnight as the Grand Slam year reaches its climax.
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We will also have coverage of the World Tour Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.
