Alison Riske Gets Fourth Round Reward at US Open

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Alison Riske Gets Fourth Round Reward at US Open

By Erik Gudris/August 31, 2013

American Alison Riske claimed the biggest win of her career while Victoria Azarenka battled through in three sets to reach the US Open fourth round.
(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)

Alison Riske may have been known earlier in her career as a grass court specialist. But the 23-year-old American is proving adept on the hard courts of New York after earning the biggest win of her career.

Despite being a heavy underdog to No. 7 seed Petra Kvitova, Riske played a nearly clean match hitting 12 winners and 7 unforced errors. After taking the first set 6-3, Riske secured an early break in the second and never relinquished control.

Kvitova did call for a trainer to check her blood pressure late in the second set but resumed play down 0-5. That only delayed the inevitable as Riske soon claimed an emotional 6-3, 6-0 win that is her first ever against a top 10 player.

After the match, Kvitova revealed in press that she was ill the night before with a fever that was later diagnosed as a virus. With her loss today, Kvitova is expected to fall out of the top ten for the first time since March 2011.

For Riske, her first ever trip to the fourth round of a major is coming at the right time in her career. Having turned down an opportunity to play in college, Riske turned pro in 2009 thanks to help from a local benefactor who agreed to sponsor her. Her first few years on tour were tough going and it was only until Riske reunited with her first coach earlier this summer that her hard work started to pay off on the court including a third round showing at Wimbledon.

"It's really tough out here. Every week isn't like this," said Riske about her breakthrough win. "But that's the great part about it, too, because if you do have a bad week you can kind of follow it up the following week with something better. Yeah, there were definitely times of doubt. My team was so supportive and pushed me through. Yeah, I'm definitely in a better place."

Riske now has a chance to go on further in the event as she will next face veteran Daniela Hantuchova for a spot in the quarterfinals. Hantuchova survived being down four match points against Julia Glushko before winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(4).

Azarenka Outlasts Cornet, Gets Ivanovic Next

No. 2 seed Victoria Azarenka might have been feeling déjà vu in her third round meeting against No. 26 seed Alize Cornet. Like their previous match at Roland Garros earlier this year, Cornet showed off inspired play to take the first set from her higher ranked opponent.

Azarenka soon got her game in gear in the second set but not without some controversy. Serving up 5-3, Azarenka thought she had won the set when Cornet sent a backhand into the net. But the umpire intervened saying that a line judge incorrectly called Azarenka's last shot out and that the point must be replayed.

"Are you freaking kidding me?, said an incredulous Azarenka at the umpire. "What the hell are you doing?"

It didn't matter as Azarenka soon won the set two points later. She then went on to seal the 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-2 win.

Waiting in the fourth round will be No. 13 seed Ana Ivanovic who was forced to rally herself against American Christina McHale. After taking the first set, McHale served for it up 5-4 in the second set. But Ivanovic broke the American's serve to not only take the set but then later the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Ivanovic is now looking forward to her match against Azarenka since their last close meeting in Carlsbad.

"I was really close in San Diego, I felt. I have game that can challenge top players," said Ivanovic. "I look forward to that opportunity. That's why I'm also very happy to pull through matches like this. Now I have day also to recover, recuperate, get ready for that match. It's going to be tough, no matter. But I really want to take on that challenge as a positive thing."

Earlier in the day, No. 21 seed Simona Halep crushed No. 14 seed Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-0. Halep will now meet veteran Flavia Pennetta who earned her first ever career win over No. 27 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-1.

Follow Erik Gudris on Twitter @ATNtennis

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)