Andy Murray versus Grigor Dimitrov 

As play continues into the second week of the US Open, players will be asked to raise their games.  Andy Murray is no exception to this request.  He faces a potentially tricky opponent in Grigor Dimitrov, against whom he has had some tough matches in the past.  His radar will be up as he tries to bring his best to ensure that he safely moves through to the quarterfinals. 

Despite his scratchy play in the previous round, there are few who would bet against the Scot's chances of advancing.  His Number 2 ranking and three major singles titles alone would be enough to make him an attractive pick to move through, but it is likely more the way he has been playing of late.  He has reached the final of the last seven tournaments that he has played, which included winning the titles at Wimbledon and the gold in Rio during that stretch.  In short, he looks as close to invincible as one can get.

 Dimitrov has not enjoyed that level of success but is likely happy with his 2016 season thus far.  He has started to right the ship throughout this year, making the finals of both Sydney and Istanbul.  He has also had a decent summer with his quarterfinal finish in Canada and going one better in Cincinnati.  He is currently ranked Number 24, but this is a man who has been as high as world no. 8.  That should be an indication of the type of tennis he is capable of producing, and he will hope to do so once again as he continues his journey back towards the top.

 Dimitrov has a game that can trouble Murray.  He has a solid serve and is able to inflict plenty of damage with his forehand.  The shot he is known for, however, is his backhand, and ripping it up the line is his favorite play.  It is essential that this shot is working for him on Monday, as it could produce outright winners or at the very least open up the court against the lightening-fast Murray.  

As for Murray, he must shore up his game from the way he played in the previous round, as Dimitrov has weapons to hurt him and can make him pay if he does not.  Assuming Murray does do that, he should have the edge as far as being in the driver's seat.  His serve is better, and he is the most consistent of the pair.  The bigger difference-maker though is his two-handed backhand and the advantage that affords him on the return.  He has become one of the best returners in the sport, and if he is seeing the ball well, he will be able to apply pressure by making inroads into more of the Bulgarian's service games than Dimitrov will in his. 

Murray will be fully aware of the value of putting Dimitrov under pressure early because he knows from past experience that the twenty-second seed is capable of the upset.  Murray leads their career head-to-head 6-3, but they have had some tight battles.  Furthermore, the Bulgarian did clip Murray in straight sets two years ago at Wimbledon as well as earlier this year in Miami.  So despite what the rankings might say, both men enter this match with the knowledge that it could go either way. 

There is definitely the possibility that the second seed will go down on Monday.  Dimitrov has the tools, and if Murray performs the way that he did in the previous round, then Dimitrov's odds become even better.  But Murray rarely has two consecutive bad days at the office, and even when not at his best, it usually takes something special to defeat him.  Perhaps Dimitrov is ready to put forth that kind of special performance and deliver on the promise so many have seen in him, but even so, look for Murray to march on towards the last eight when all is said and done. 

Venus Williams versus Karolina Pliskova 

Sports commentator Mary Carillo used the term “big-babe tennis” frequently in the past.  It was expressed to describe the often awe-inducing displays of power tennis put forth by the likes of Lindsay Davenport, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova among others.  Fans have seen slightly less of that type of tennis in recent years, but it is sure to be on tap on Monday when Venus Williams takes on Karolina Pliskova.  

Williams is a very familiar face to fans around the globe.  She has been around for over two decades and has accomplished plenty during her illustrious career.  She reached the apex of the rankings and has secured seven major singles crowns, five of them at Wimbledon and two of them coming here in New York.  She has also won numerous major doubles titles along with multiple Olympic gold medals in both singles and women's doubles.  Her 2016 has not been the greatest outside of her semifinal run at Wimbledon and silver medal in the mixed doubles at Rio, but she has repeatedly shown that you can never count her out.

 Pliskova is less known around the world, but it is not for lack of talent.  On the contrary, she has tested many of the game's best.  She is currently ranked just outside of the Top 10 and was ranked as high as Number 7 a year ago.  She has been steadier in 2016, particularly since the start of the grass season.  She won the title in Nottingham and reached the final of Eastbourne, but her biggest prize came just a couple of weeks ago in Cincinnati where she upset Angelique Kerber to take the title.  She has always under-performed at the slams, however, which is why she will be keen to carve out some success here. 

Pliskova could definitely pose problems for Williams and will be a big step up from anyone the American has faced thus far.  The Czech leads the WTA with most aces on the season, and with her hard, penetrating ground strokes from both wings, she will be able to not only hang with the sixth seed from the baseline but dictate her share of the rallies.  But consistency and patience will be key for Pliskova, who like fellow Czech Petra Kvitova can sometimes struggle with erratic play.  She showed plenty of poise when she faced Kerber in Ohio, and she will need to do so against Williams here. 

Williams will come in knowing that she faces a possible hurdle in Pliskova due to the weapons that she possesses.  As such, it is essential that she put in a high percentage of first serves, but she still has to go for them or Pliskova will get on top of the rallies.  Williams also is forced with treading the fine line between defense and offense.  She has a clear advantage in the movement department, but in the grand scheme of things, it is not to her advantage to turn this into a running contest.  Rather, she should rely on the defense and play it safe when she has to, but otherwise, look to be the aggressor and move forward whenever possible. 

Williams should be looking to do everything in her power to test the Czech's resolve in the tight moments as well because it is the American who has the mental edge in this encounter.  She defeated Pliskova in their only prior meeting, though it was a tight one.  But the greater positive for Williams is that she has vastly more experience playing these types of matches.  This is Pliskova's first foray into the last sixteen of a major and there is no telling how her nerves will handle the situation. 

If Pliskova's nerves are up to the task, then this is a 50-50 match.  The Czech has had the more consistent season and owns the better serve, but Williams is steadier and enjoys the comfort that comes with experience.  It is too tight to call and the only certainty is that each one is deserving of a place in the quarterfinals.