Karolina Muchova vs Beatriz Haddad Maia Odds
| Muchova Odds | -260 |
| Haddad Maia Odds | +210 |
| Over/Under | 21.5 (-120 / -110) |
| Time | How to Watch | Wednesday, 12 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Odds via FanDuel. For tips on how to watch US Open tennis, click here. | |
Karolina Muchova routinely defeated Jasmine Paolini in a 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach quarterfinals of the US Open.
Muchova will now face off with Beatriz Haddad Maia, who squeaked out a tight win over Caroline Wozniacki in her round of 16 showdown.
Read on for my full Karolina Muchova vs Beatriz Haddad Maia pick ahead of this US Open quarterfinal.
How Muchova Continues to Shine
Muchova won 45% of her return points, 77% of her service points and was only broken once by Paolini. The Czech hit 17 winners against 15 unforced errors and won 11-of-14 net points.
A wrist ailment forced Muchova out for much of this season, but the 28-year old is clearly comfortable in the conditions in Flushing Meadows, as she made the semifinals of the US Open last season before falling to Coco Gauff.
Muchova does have a strong 145-67 career record on hard courts. So, despite coming into the US Open with a 1-1 record this year on hard courts, Muchova is a very dangerous player.
The Czech has a fairly powerful, well-placed serve that she uses to get ahead in her service games. She plays attacking tennis from the ground, getting excellent pop on her groundstrokes, although the 28-year old is particularly potent with her forehand.
Muchova dictates play effectively from this wing, positioning herself aggressively on the court and taking time away from her opposition. But, she displays excellent restraint and patience, building points successfully and showcasing her high tennis IQ.
Part of this high tennis IQ is knowing when to use her extraordinary variety. Whether it be her backhand slice, angles or perfect drop shots, the Czech does an excellent job in using her variety to change the rhythm of rallies and take her opponents out of their comfort zones.
And Muchova also does this by coming to the net at the right times and demonstrating great hands once she's moved forward. The 28-year old has not had a match so far this tournament where she's won under 2-of-3 of her net points.
It must be said, though, that Muchova's backhand can break down on occasion. In addition, she sometimes has too many options and can play the wrong shot.
Haddad Maia on Major Hot Streak
Haddad Maia won 60% of her service points, saving 13-of-16 break points. The Brazilian also won 46% of her return points, including 68% of her second-serve returns, breaking on five occasions. Haddad Maia hit 40 winners against 39 unforced errors and won 17-of-19 points at the net.
Haddad Maia will want to improve on her 38% second-serve winning percentage against Wozniacki. It was the third time this tournament that Haddad Maia won 50% or less of her second serves.
The 28-year old has won of her last nine matches (all on hard courts), reaching the final of Cleveland the week before the US Open. Haddad Maia is now an impressive 224-115 professional-mark on the surface.
The Brazilian is playing with confidence at the moment. She's hitting excellent angles with her lefty first serve and dragging opponents around the court with her heavy forehand. Her inside-out forehand has been particularly strong.
However, Haddad Maia has been at her best counterpunching. Especially on her forehand wing, but on both sides, the Brazilian has done a superb job of absorbing her opponents' pace and hitting into targets in order to successfully counterpunch.
Haddad Maia, utilizing her point construction skills, baited Wozniacki into attacking her forehand wing quite often.
And the Brazilian is so sure of herself moving forward. This tournament, Haddad Maia has won 49-of-64 points at the net so far.
Haddad Maia's backhand can leak errors, however. She doesn't have overwhelming pace and her second serve can sit up in the box, waiting to be smacked. In addition, Haddad Maia lacks an effective slice shot.
Muchova vs Haddad Maia Prediction and Pick
These two have played twice, with Muchova covering this game spread on both occasions. And the reason for this is that the Czech's varied game takes Haddad Maia out of her comfort zone.
Muchova should use her backhand slice and angles to draw Haddad Maia into awkward areas of the court that a more straightforward player like Wozniacki was unable to do.
And Muchova should use her drop shot to bring Haddad Maia to net on her terms, as opposed to when the Brazilian wants to move forward.
Finally, the Czech shouldn't allow this to turn into the more "punch-counterpunch" type of baseline battle that Haddad Maia thrives on.
