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Reigning Wimbledon champion Serena Williams faces a tough fourth round match-up against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova. Join The Roar for live scores from 12 midnight (AEST).
Williams and Kuznetsova have both tasted grand slam success, so we can expect a quality contest that could easily stretch to three sets.
The pair have already played each other twice this year, the ledger split at one win apiece.
Williams does own a dominant head-to-head record over Kuznetsova, winning nine of their 12 matches, however Kuznetsova is coming off a very good win over the in-form American Sloane Stephens, and should provide a stern test.
Kuznetsova’s court coverage and competitive tenacity will ensure that Williams has to work overtime. But the American remains the most devastating hitter of the ball in the women’s circuit. Despite losing two grand slam finals this year, the American invariably dominates the tour if she is allowed to dictate terms from the baseline.
If Kuznetsova hopes to cause the upset, she needs to play aggressively and take charge of passive rallies. This is exactly the sort of play that allowed the Spaniard Garbine Muguruza to defeat Williams in the French Open final several weeks ago.
Despite not possessing the power of Muguruza, Kuznetsova can certainly hit winners, particularly from the backhand.
Prediction
On form, Kuznetsova is a shot of causing the upset. Williams at her best remains the better player, but the American is struggling to find her best form – something the Russian should be able to take advantage of on centre court.
Kuznetsova in three sets.