Flavia Pennetta vs Angelique Kerber – Quarterfinal Preview: US Open 2011
Italian tennis pro Flavia Pennetta will be taking on Angelique Kerber of Germany on Wednesday in the quarterfinal of 2011 US Open here in the City of New York, United States. Pennetta is enjoying terrific form at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre as she dropped only a set to reach the last eight at the Grand Slam tournament.
Pennetta, who has a great record in the doubles arena, has improved her game play in the singles world as she improved her WTA ranking to world number 25 according to the latest release. Seeded 26th at the tournament, Pennetta favours the clay surface normally but she is enjoying great success here on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. If she can maintain the current level of her play, she can create all sorts of problems for her German rival in the quarterfinal.
Pennetta has a great history at the US Open as she reached the quarterfinals at the American Grand Slam twice prior to this showing. The Italian battled past Shuai Peng of China to book her place in the last eight. She struggled with the hot and humid conditions and despite being 6-1 down in the tie-breaker, Pennetta came back to record a straight sets victory.
“My body just needed to breathe and I started to maybe feel like throwing up. But there was nothing inside so it didn’t come out,” Pennetta said. “I was feeling really bad. I think it was because it’s really humid today, it’s hot. It’s one of the worst times I’ve ever had on the court. But I just believed the whole time.”
Earlier in the third round play, she stunned the former US Open champion Maria Sharapova in three tight sets. The 29-year-old is certainly enjoying her time on the court.
“The Centre Court is amazing. The other courts are really nice and the people are really nice all the time. They cheer for me from the beginning. It’s nice to have the support of the crowd. I just enjoy it all the time when I’m in New York.”
Angelique Kerber, Pennetta’s quarterfinal opponent, is also in decent form and she thrashed out Monica Niculescu to book her place in the quarterfinal. In the second round, she ousted the inform Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. She looks to be very confident right now and she will do her best to make her first semi-final appearance in a Grand Slam tournament.
The two women have met only one before on the tour at 2011 Bastad. Pennetta won that encounter 6-2, 6-3. However under pressure, her abilities will be tested to the fullest. Both women can play very aggressively from deep behind the baseline. However, Pennetta, who has a strong serve as well, is likely to emerge victorious from this clash.
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