Sloane Stephens versus Victoria Azarenka

A year ago, Sloane Stephens arrived at the US Open just glad to be able to compete and with few expectations.  When the tournament came to a close, she had been crowned champion.  Things are different in 2018.  She is seeded third, her highest seeding at a major, and the defending champion.  Between that and reaching the finals of Roland Garros earlier this spring, it is safe to say expectations are higher this time around.  Stephens could have her work cut out for her though if she hopes to keep her title defense hopes alive, as she faces Victoria Azarenka in the third round.  The Belorussian is a former Number 1 and a two-time Australian Open Champion.  She has also been to the finals of this tournament on multiple occasions. 

When at her best, she presents a daunting challenge.  She hits big from both wings, though her backhand is the preferred side.  She has an underrated net game, and her defense is deceptively good.  These were all attributes she used to defeat the American in their first three meetings, never dropping a set.  Things are different now, however.  While Azarenka has struggled to find her form and momentum following maternity leave, Stephens has discovered her best.  Although not naturally as offensive-minded as Azarenka, she can produce easier power from the ground.  She also enjoys a clear edge in both the movement department and on serve.  It is why she has turned the tables in this rivalry, handing Azarenka two losses earlier this year with victories at both Indian Wells and Miami.  This is certainly an enticing match-up, and one that is hardly a given with Azarenka's pedigree and Stephens looking shaky in the previous round, but all signs point to the American evening up this rivalry at 3-3 by the time play comes to a close on Friday.

Venus Williams versus Serena Williams

They are familiar faces and familiar foes.  A decade or so ago, they would have always met in the latter-most stages of the slams.  On Friday, they will meet for only the second time in the first week of a major, and while there is no grand prize riding on this match, the prospect of another battle between Venus Williams and sister Serena Williams is sure to have fans buzzing.  This is a rivalry that has fascinated many, not only because it pits two of the greatest legends of the sport against one another, but it offers the unique family angle as well.  After meeting nearly thirty times over the course of their storied careers, the familial pressure is perhaps a little less than it was in the early stages, but there is no doubt that it can creep into their respective games.  That is something that neither can really afford to let happen on this occasion, but even more so for Venus. 

She is the one who trails Serena 12-17, and that can primarily be chalked up to the fact that Serena does most things a little better.  Serena's serve is the greatest in the history of the women's game, and her second delivery is more reliable than that of her older sister.  She tends to be a little more consistent off the ground as well, especially on the forehand wing.  If there is one area where Venus does hold an edge it is in the forecourt, and she should be looking to get there as frequently as possible on Friday.  She has had to play the more taxing matches to reach this juncture, so keeping the points short aids her cause.  Moving forward can also put pressure on Serena to cull a few more errors from her racket and rob her of a time.  If she can do that, she might find a way to repeat her feat at Indian Wells this past spring and get the better of Serena, but do not bet on it.  Serena has looked the sharper of the pair in getting here, and odds are she will be the one still in the title hunt after this one ends.

Rafael Nadal versus Karen Khachanov

He was the co-favorite coming into the US Open, and after the draw was announced, he became an increasingly popular pick among the pundits to defend his title of a year ago.  Rafael Nadal looked great earlier this summer with his victory in Toronto, and he looks to have continued where he left off with his play thus far in New York.  He will face his first real challenge on Friday in the form of twenty-seventh seed Karen Khachanov.  The young Russian is among some of the most promising of the next generation.  He is currently ranked a career high Number 26, and he has gotten there on the strength of his explosive brand of tennis.  At 6'6 he has a booming serve, and he loves to go big and bold from both wings off the ground.  He is increasingly learning to temper his aggressive approach with more margin and consistency, making him an ever-growing threat on tour.  But he will have his hands full if he hopes to pull off a major upset on Friday. 

Nadal has made a career out of bullying opponents with his lethal forehand, and his backhand is no less of a danger to the opposition.  His serve has improved in the latter stages of his career, and his skills in the forecourt are criminally under-appreciated.  It is his legendary defensive skills, however, that will present the most daunting hurdle to the young Russian.  Nadal keeps asking the questions with his relentless ability to track down balls, and it is going to be a huge challenge for Khachanov to red-line his game consistently enough over the course of a best-of-five match to garner the upset.  Even more so when considering he has never taken a set from Nadal in four prior meetings.  But Khachanov has played him tight in sets, including a few weeks ago in Toronto.  If he can perhaps sneak in a set, especially the first set, then a stunner could be on the horizon.  But Nadal is a top favorite for a reason, and though he might potentially be tested, it will be a shocker if he does not move through to the second week.