Roberto Bautista Agut versus Juan Martin del Potro

With the stranglehold that the Big 4 have had on the sport, there have been few men who have been able to wrangle a US Open title away from them.  One who has is Juan Martin del Potro.  If the Argentine hopes to repeat that feat, however, he is going to have to come ready to play against Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday.  In fact, it is the Spaniard, seeded eleventh, who is favored to win this one on paper.  He has enjoyed the better season, and he entered this event soaring with confidence thanks to a title run at Winston-Salem.  He is an offensive-minded player, producing flat strokes with both the forehand and backhand and does not shy away from going for the lines or the angles.  He has capable hands in the forecourt, and when all those skills are combined with his foot speed, he presents a formidable challenge to any player.  Del Potro already knows that Bautista Agut is a dangerous foe because he lost to him in five sets at the Australian Open three years ago. 

The twenty-fourth seed will also be aware that Agut has been in better form than him of late.  Even so, del Potro can take comfort from the fact that he is better equipped to determine the outcome of this match.  He gets more mileage out of his serve and is deceptively good at covering his own side of the court.  He has learned to better utilize the backhand slice he has been forced to so frequently use and his forehand remains one of the most awe-inspiring shots in the history of tennis.  If he is playing top-shelf level, then del Potro will be the one lighting up the stat sheet and getting the job done.  If not, then Bautista Agut will continue where he left off in North Carolina.

Agnieszka Radwanska versus Coco Vandeweghe

A fan new to the game of tennis could be forgiven for assuming that Coco Vandeweghe is the clear favorite in her match with Agnieszka Radwanska.  She has had more to celebrate throughout the course of this season, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, quarterfinals of Wimbledon, and the final of Stanford earlier this summer.  Then there is her game.  She is one of the most powerful ball-strikers in the sport.  She has the booming serve and an above-average second delivery.  She boasts extraordinary firepower from the baseline and impressive finesse at the net.  When at her best, she theoretically has the kind of weaponry that should relegate the Pole to the role of bystander.  Historically, however, that theory has not panned out, as Radwanska holds a dominant 5-1 lead in her rivalry with the American, including a victory just a few weeks ago in Toronto.  Presumably, it is the tenth seed's own style of play that has vexed Vandeweghe. 

What Radwanska lacks in power she more than makes up for with court craft and guile.  She is fleet of foot, able to confidently change the trajectory of the ball, has exceptional anticipation skills, and is more than competent when it comes to getting the job done at net.  It is a package that has proved problematic for Vandeweghe, who still has a tendency to be erratic, especially when she is fed so many different looks at the ball.  Whether that will be the case on Saturday remains to be seen.  Vandeweghe is playing the better ball, but her dismal record against Radwanska, including that loss in Toronto, is an equalizer.  The match may be on her racket, but it is anyone's guess whether Vandeweghe can take advantage of it.

Madison Keys versus Elena Vesnina

Hopes have been high that Madison Keys will evolve into a major champion, and there are some who believe she could deliver on those hopes this year in New York.  She has always had the tools for success.  Few pound the ball with greater velocity than her from the back of the court, and her serve often either earns her points outright or puts her in immediate control of the rallies.  She has also grown on the mental side.  She has gone deep at the majors and she has accumulated some confidence with her play this summer, most notably with her title run in Stanford.  If she wants to try and replicate that success here in New York though, she must come ready to play against Elena Vesnina. 

The Russian may not own the same level of firepower as Keys, but Vesnina hits flat enough to make some inroads.  Furthermore, she is not intimidated by pace.  And while she prefers to get the job done from the baseline, as a Top 10 doubles player, she is plenty adept at the net.  Vesnina is going to have to get to the forecourt with regularity though because merely bashing it out with Keys from the baseline is a losing proposition.  Even then, it may not be enough.  Keys is back to playing some of her best tennis, she has yet to drop a set to Vesnina in their prior meetings, and if at her best, she can take the racket out of the Russian's hands.  It could be competitive, but expect Keys to march on through to the fourth round.