Roger Federer vs. John Isner leads U.S. Open Day 8 matches to watch
NEW YORK — Labor Day at the U.S. Open will see the top players vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. Roger Federer, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray headline Day 8 action at the U.S. Open, along with Simona Halep and Donald Young. Matches begin at 11 a.m. ET on WatchESPN and coverage on ESPN begins at 1 p.m. ET. Check out the full television and broadcast schedule here. Full order of play for Saturday can be found here.
Matches and storylines to watch on Day 8
Roger Federer plays top-ranked American John Isner: While Federer bids for major No. 18, John Isner looks to match his career-best showing at a major with a win on Monday (last match at night, Arthur Ashe). Federer has continued to look sharp throughout the first week, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber in straights to advance. The Swiss has won four of five matches vs. Isner.
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Second-seeded Simona Halep looks strong: The World No. 2 has looked unshaken at the U.S. Open so far where others, including Serena Williams, have faltered with the loss of sets here and there. Halep faces tough competition against former Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki of Germany, who slipped by Barbora Strycova 7–5 in the third in the last round. Should 2014 Roland Garros runner-up Halep prevail on Monday, she’ll reach her first U.S. Open quarterfinal. Halep and Lisicki play first on Louis Armstrong.
Victoria Azarenka plays American Varvara Lepchenko after epic match: Victoria Azarenka has found her form in 2015, especially winning what’s being hailed as one of the best matches of this year’s U.S. Open against competitor Angelique Kerber in three close sets. Azarenka plays hometown favorite Lepchenko, who actually trains regularly at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Azarenka owns their head-to-head, however, winning three of four matches, including one earlier this year at Birmingham. They play first on Arthur Ashe.
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Despite illness, Andy Murray marches on: The 2012 U.S. Open champ plays the 6'8" and No. 15 Kevin Anderson (second match, Louis Armstrong). The World No. 3 won in straight sets over Thomaz Bellucci in the last round, while Anderson closed out Dominic Thiem, the No. 20 seed, in three sets as well. Murray has been fighting a head cold and needs to bring his best against the big-serving Anderson, but the Scot won against the South African in both their matches this year, including in the final at Queen’s Club.
Donald Young faces Stan Wawrinka in 2011 rematch: In 2011, Donald Young made a surprise run to the fourth round, by taking out Wawrinka in a blockbuster Court 17 match in the Round of 64. The American won in five sets and may need to do that again if he wants to advance to his maiden major quarterfinal. Of course, Wawrinka is a different player these days. He’s since won the Australian Open and Roland Garros, while Young, meanwhile, is still searching for his first ATP Tour title. Also notable: Wawrinka won a tight match in Shanghai against Young in 2011, but they haven’t played since. They face off in the second match on Arthur Ashe on Monday.
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More matches to watch: Tomas Berdych vs. Richard Gasquet (third match, Louis Armstrong); Petra Kvitova vs. Johanna Konta (first match at night, Arthur Ashe); Samantha Stosur vs. Flavia Pennetta (third match, Arthur Ashe)
