Azarenka lost this match but it was on clay

Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [16] vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [17]

I’ve seen some complaining on Twitter about the women’s quarterfinal matches not having many top 10 seeds.  This is a bit silly given that Vika was #2 in the world prior to her injury issues.  Makarova was the first player this year to prevent Eugenie Bouchard from reaching a Grand Slam quarterfinal.  This should be a solid match.  If Azarenka is healthy, and she seems as close to her old form as I’ve seen from her in 2014, then I think Azarenka wins a competitive but straight set match.  Prediction: Azarenka d. Makarova 7-5, 6-3

Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [11]

Serena Williams playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal of 2014 is a shocking thought.  Pennetta is a solid veteran player who is playing as well as I can remember.  Still, if Serena is feeling relaxed she should win this match.  I think Serena’s problems at majors in 2014 have been caused by feeling the pressure of a moment a bit more than in years past.  Being in New York with a fairly open draw at this point and having won Stanford and Cincinnati should ease some of Serena’s pressure.  Serena knows she’s playing good tennis again, and she knows this draw presents fewer obstacles than it could have.  Serena, like Azarenka, is a cut above her opponent if she is playing her game. Prediction: Williams d. Pennetta 6-3, 6-3