PETE ZIEBRON
Daniela Hantuchova will meet Alison Riske tomorrow in the 4th round of the 2013 US Open. Pete Ziebron Images
Beginning with the 2002 Wimbledon Championships, Daniela Hantuchova appeared in three consecutive major quarterfinals en route to a career high of world #5. Since reaching the Australian Open quarters in 2003, she did reach the 2008 Australian Open semifinals but has not able to advance past the 4th round at a major in over five and a half years.
In fact, prior to her success at this year's US Open, Hantuchova the Slovakian #3 and world #48, had not won an opening round match at any major since reaching the 3rd round of the 2011 Australian Open. This year in New York, Hantuchova eliminated Americans Maria Sanchez and Victoria Duval in straight sets in the opening two rounds and came back from a 3-6 2-5, 0-30 deficit to defeat qualifier Julia Glushko of Israel to advance to the 4th round.
Hantuchova will meet American wild card Alison Riske tomorrow for a place in quarterfinals. The two met prior to Wimbledon this year on the lawns of Birmingham. Riske won the first set 7-5 before Hantuchaova steadied her game, winning the next two sets 6-1 6-4. Daniela Hantuchova would go on to defeat Donna Vekic of Croatia in the final the next day to win her 6th career title.
However, following that win in England, Hantuchova would lose six of her next eight matches, including her last three heading into the US Open. Following her opening round loss at Wimbledon, Hantuchova, an accomplished doubles player and owner of a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles, started to partner in doubles with Martina Hingis, a 5 time singles major Champion. Hingis also won 9 major doubles titles, including winning all of the majors in doubles in 1998.
Last month in Toronto, Hingis elaborated on her play with Hantuchova: "It's a pleasure to be out there on the court with Daniela. I mean, I think we both have the qualities that we can feed off each other." Similarly, Hantuchova echoed Hingis' comment: "For me it was all about just having fun and for people to see what Martina still can produce on the court. I'm really glad she's able to show it (her level of play), because I always said like once we are champion inside, you always going to have it in you forever."
Perhaps being able to play doubles with Hingis since late July has helped Daniela Hantuchova with her breakthrough in her singles play in New York. The winner of the Hantuchova-Riske match will meet the winner of the Victoria Azarenka-Ana Ivanovic match in the 2013 US Open quarterfinals.
- NOTE: Hantuchova and Hingis lost their US Open first round doubles match to the #1 seeds, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-3 7-5.
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