Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Robin Soderling (SWE)

Federer was able to fight off the pesky Austrian, Jurgen Melzer, in straight sets and he has still not dropped a set throughout this tournament. Federer’s incredible streak of reaching the at least the semis in Grand Slam tournaments came to an end earlier this year at the French Open and then he lost in the quarters of Wimbledon. He needs a win here to show everyone that he can still be the best player in the world on the biggest stage.

Soderling dropped the first set to Albert Montanes in the fourth round, but bounced right back and won 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarters for the second straight year. He summer started out well as he reached the quarters at Wimbledon and the finals at Bastad, but then he lost early at Canada and Cincinnati. A win here would turn that around quickly!

Match-Up:

Soderling is 1-12 against Federer and beat him earlier this year in the quarters of the French Open. They did meet last year in the quarters of the US Open and Federer beat him in four sets. Soderling has proved to himself and the world that he is the real deal. He knows he belongs in the top ten and in the finals of majors and it is showing on the court. He has a big forehand and even though he has a big swing, he is able to keep the ball in play because of his athleticism and foundation. His backhand is consistent, he has an excellent serve and he moves tremendously for a big guy. Federer’s playing at his peak level right now and it even shows during the warm-up. He is brimming with confidence and using his full arsenal on shots. There is nothing these two don’t know about each other and I fully expect Soderling to make this a very competitive match. I have to give the edge to Federer, but this is going to be a long match.

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 or 5 sets

Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Monfils won the all-French battle between he and Gasquet in the fourth round to reach the quarters of the US Open for the first time in his career. The only thing you can predict about Monfils is that he is going to do something you’ve probably never seen before on a tennis court. He is a wildcard and the fans love seeing him play!

Djokovic handled Mardy Fish fairly easily in the fourth round and definitely played some of the best tennis I’ve seen from him in a while. After a first round scare from Viktor Troicki, Djokovic has settled down nicely and hasn’t dropped a set in three matches. He’s been to at least the semis the last three years and I am sure he doesn’t want that streak to end!

Match-Up:

Djokovic is 4-0 against Monfils and hasn’t beaten him three times on hard courts in the past (including a win over him five years ago in the first round of the US Open). This is going to be a very interesting and entertaining match. No matter what anyone says, Monfils is going to stay way behind the baseline and get to just about everything. This hurts him though because it allows his opponents to breathe easy when he hits offensive shots because they know they have time to get to them. On the other hand, Djokovic is going to try and take the ball early and control the court. It’s really a big contrast in styles. Both men are playing excellent tennis and I could see this match going either way. It’s supposed to be a little more humid tomorrow and there is a chance of rain, so if the heat turns up I give a little edge to Monfils. Overall, Djokovic’s constant pressure and his consistency should enable him to win so I am going with the Djoker!

Nick’s Pick – Djokovic in 4 sets

Venus Williams (USA) vs. Kim Clijsters (BEL)

Once again, Venus overcame lots of unforced errors to advance in straight sets over Francesca Schiavone. Venus came to the net early and often and this proved to be the big difference in the match. When she is coming forward and putting pressure on her opponents she is very hard to because of her wingspan at the net.

Clijsters won her 19^th straight match at the US Open, beating Sam Stosur 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. It wasn’t a pretty much for either woman, but Clijsters came up big at the end of the third set and that was the difference. This was her seventh straight victory over a top-ten player and she will look to continue that streak against Venus.

Match-Up:

This is the 13^th career meeting between Venus and Clijsters and their head-to-head record is 6-6. In their one meeting earlier this year in the finals at Miami, Clijsters won 6-2, 6-1. They also met in the fourth round of last year’s US Open and Clijsters won that 6-0, 0-6, 6-4. I am going to break down this match stroke for stroke because this is going to be one heck of a battle!

If Venus’ serve is on and she doesn’t stay at baseline this can go either way. If she stays back at the baseline and slugs it out this could go to Clijsters. This is going to be one heck of a match and I am looking to you for the winner!! Who do you think will win?

Nick’s Pick – This could really go either way!

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Vera Zvonvareva (RUS)

Wozniacki and Cibulkova struggled big-time with the wind on Wednesday night. Neither was comfortable and both were broke numerous times. Wozniacki was tougher both mentally and physically and that was the difference in this match. Many people were questioning whether or not she was the true #1 coming into the tournament, and so far she has answered those questions.

Zvonareva continued to roll with a straight set victory over Kaia Kanepi in the quarters and she has still not dropped a set throughout the tournament. She broke Kanepi seven times she is hitting her serve better than I have ever seen in the past. She is more than capable of winning this match and reaching another Grand Slam final.

Match-Up:

This is the fifth career meeting between Wozniacki and Zvonareva and they have split the previous four. In their two matches earlier this year, Zvonareva won the first at Charleston and Wozniacki won the second at Montreal. Wow, this is going to be one heck of a match between two women who are both playing fantastic tennis. Both women move extremely well, both have excellent groundstrokes and both are brimming with confidence. Zvonareva probably stands a little closer to the baseline than Wozniacki and takes the ball earlier, but on the other hand, Wozniacki will come forward inside the baseline and attack when she needs to. This is a tough match to call because I wouldn’t be surprised if either won it. Both are playing at a high level and both are great competitors and fighters. I think you have to give a slight edge to Wozniacki because of her record coming in, but don’t be surprised if Zvonareva wins.

Nick’s Pick – Could go either way. Wouldn’t be surprised to see if either wins it.

Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Federer didn’t appear to be effected by the wind with his straight set victory over Robin Soderling. He looked focused, determined and was extremely effective in every aspect of his game. He broke Soderling 5/6 times and had 18 aces to advance to the semis of the US Open for the seventh straight time.

Djokovic is playing some of the best tennis I have seen from him in quite some time. Monfils tested him in the opening set, but once he settled down, he was able to control the match without many hiccups. This is his fourth straight trip to the semis of the US Open and he is looking to get back to the finals for the first time since 2007.

Match-Up:

These two men have a long history and this will be their 16^th career meeting. Federer is 10-5 against Djokovic and has eliminated him at the US Open the last three years. Federer was absolutely unstoppable against Soderling. He broke down Soderling’s forehand and he was hitting his backhand as well as I have ever seen. He served magnificently and was playing like the Federer we all know and love. Djokovic’s groundstrokes are looking great right now, his serve has been consistent and he is controlling the court against his opponents. Both men are extremely confident and look as close to perfect as you can. I don’t think this match will be over in straight sets. I look for this to go at least four sets and I see Federer winning. He is just on a streak that I am not sure can be stopped!

Nick’s Pick – Federer in 4 or 5 sets

Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Verdasco was able to break Nadal for the first time in the tournament in the quarters, but it didn’t matter as Nadal broke him four times and won the match in straight sets. He had only 16 unforced errors compared to Verdasco’s 41 and that was really the difference in the match. As I’ve been saying, it’s going to take one heck of an effort to stop Nadal in this tournament.

Youzhny was down two sets to one against Wawrinka in the quarters, but he fought hard and was able to win the match in five sets. He seems to enjoy this tournament more than the other Grand Slams as this is the second time he’s been to the semis of the US Open and he’s never been past the quarters in any other Grand Slam.

Match-Up:

Nadal is 7-4 against Youzhny, but the two haven’t played since Wimbledon in 2008. Back in 2006, they met in the quarters of the US Open and Youzhny won that match in four sets. Youzhny’s run to the semis is incredible. He has fought tooth and nail in every single match he has played and his fighting spirit has won the audience over. He doesn’t play with much variety. He stands right on or near the baseline, hits the ball quite flat and runs for everything. He doesn’t really do anything spectacular, but he does do everything really well. He’s given Nadal fits in the past and his hard-nosed style is fun to watch.

How the heck does Nadal do it? He’s gets to balls that most players would consider unreachable and then he not only hits them, he is able to turn it into offense. He is amazing! He’s changed from an eastern backhand grip on his serve to more of a continental grip (similar to Becker) and this has allowed him to hit a much flatter serve. Would I recommend this to anyone? No! But, Nadal has the ability to do this and it’s working for him.

Everyone is looking forward to a potential Nadal/Federer final, but I don’t think Nadal will let that distract him. The odds are definitely in Nadal’s favor here (especially since Youzhny had to go five sets against Wawrinka) and I have to go with him.

Nick’s Pick – Nadal in 4 sets