Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki Advance On Day 5 Of 2014 US Open, Set Up Fourth Round Showdown

Maria Sharapova (click to enlarge)

On a day when big names Venus Williams, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber all lost, two of the biggest names in tennis…in all of women’s sports, really…advanced to an intriguing fourth round showdown. The resurgent Caroline Wozniacki, seeded 10th, continued her strong summer by dismissing the dangerous Andrea Petkovic, 3 and 2. Sunshine’s only Major final came at the 2009 US Open when she lost to the comebacking Kim Clijsters. If she can get into the quarterfinals, perhaps we can start to imagine her reaching a second Major final. But first she will face the daunting task of trying to overcome 5-time Major winner and 5th seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth round. Masha had not looked that great in her second round win, but she looked a lot better in the third round, besting Sabine Lisicki 2 and 4. The 2006 US Open champion is now the highest seed remaining in the bottom half of the draw. Whomever comes out of the Sharapova vs Wozniacki fourth round clash could have the inside track to the final.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (click to enlarge)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. The 32-year old has been through so much on and off the court. She was once a young prodigy before it all went south. She had a father she says was abusive for a long time. She was more or less out of the sport. So even though she knocked the 2nd seed, and my second favorite player at the moment, Simona Halep, out of the US Open, I still have to stand up and applaud her effort in even being here and advancing into the 4th round. It’s been a long, arduous journey for Mirjana. Hopefully, she can keep it going.