AZARENKA VS EKATERINA MAKAROVA. US OPEN 2014.

Victoria Azarenka vs Ekaterina Makarova

The Russian Makarova is playing much better overall. Prior to this year, she would often falter in the big matches, but now she is finally ready to play ball. Makarova hits the heck out of her ball and upset Eugenie Bouchard by playing big and refusing to fold under pressure. She not only can rip her backhands, but also hits a very heavy ball on the forehand side as well.

But Makarova has yet to show that she can go deep into the Slams. She eventually may do that, but her foe Azarenka has been there before on numerous occasions.

“Vika” reached the US Open final in each of the last two years before falling to Serena Williams, and she has won two Australian Open titles, which clearly shows that she can dominate on her beloved hard courts. Azarenka has struggled this year due to injuries, but she has fought very hard during this event and can rise up again. Makarova will try to trouble Azarenka, but Vika will stare her down and win in three sets.