US Open SmashTalk: women’s game big-ticket again?

After yet another women’s night-time spectacular at the US Open – this time between Venus Williams and Petra Kvitova – it’s clear that the female game is having a fabulous fortnight at Flushing Meadows.

After years of inconsistency and turbulence, a lack of rivalries and absent stars, the WTA seems to be finally be coming into its own again. The Tennismash team of Paul Moore, Vivienne Christie, Matt Trollope, Leigh Rogers and Bede Briscomb discuss this as well as the return/rise of Sloane Stephens and tomorrow’s blockbuster between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro.

Agree or disagree with our panel? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

Has this US Open gotten the women’s game “back on track”?

Moore: In a word: yes. It’s been a long time since the women’s game has looked more ‘solid’ than the men’s. That has definitely been the case at Flushing Meadows, where the likes of Maria, Sloane and Venus have wrestled attention away from the fellas. That will change tomorrow (with Roger and Rafa in action), but this tournament has definitely given the women a lift.

Christie: Absolutely. At the US Open, you’ve had established stars underling their x-factor – Maria Sharapova with her sassy return, Petra Kvitova in her gutsy comeback and Venus Williams’ showcasing longevity with stunning authority – and younger players matching their star power. From the charismatic Garbine Muguruza to the spirited Sloane Stephens and bold CoCo Vandeweghe, many women are showing how they will continue to light up tennis.

RELATED: Venus beats Kvitova to reach US Open semis

Trollope: It’s really been a fantastic tournament for the women – a Grand Slam tournament that’s felt truly box-office. You’ve had big names going head to head – Sharapova v Halep set the tone on Night 1, and Muguruza v Kvitova and Venus v Kvitova followed – and many of the matches on Ashe have been three-set thrillers, especially the ones under lights in prime time. With Sharapova (fourth round), Kvitova (quarters) and Stephens (semis) all back competing and winning after long absences, it’s injected some star power back into the sport. And Serena and Azarenka are still to return! The signs are great going forward – and this memorable US Open is not even done yet.

Rogers: Life in the shadows of the ATP’s dominating Big Four has been rough for women’s tennis for a while now – but the injury-affected US Open men’s draw has finally given the women a chance to shine and they have delivered. To have eight women start the tournament in contention for the No.1 ranking added to the excitement and it seems rather than bemoan the lack of a standout, more and more fans are embracing the unpredictably among an increasingly more even top tier of women.

Briscomb: Yes. 20% of credit goes to the reinvigorated American women, 30% goes to Petra Kvitova’s inspirational comeback story, 40% goes to tennis’ new favourite villain Maria Sharapova, and 10% is the stark contrast to the men’s game. Despite the success of Federer and Nadal, the ATP is flatlining while the WTA is jam-packed with absorbing rivalries, epic matches and extremely high quality tennis.

In this new phase of her career, how far can Sloane Stephens rise in the game?

Moore: It’s looking pretty good, isn’t it? Also, I like the consistency she’s showing in big tournaments (three semifinals in a row). That said, it’s much easier to play like this on big courts at home. If she wants to crack the top five – and on current form she could do that – she needs to be able to play like this on outside courts in China, the Middle East and Europe. That’s a completely different kettle of fish – and where lots of players like her fall down.

Christie: A rise of 900+ rankings placing this US summer alone suggests anything is possible for Sloane Stephens. Injury proved a turning point in the most positive way; with renewed gratitude and a certain freedom, Sloane is simply enjoying her tennis. Provided she stays healthy, she can target at least the top five or even higher – and at age 24, Stephens can still do so without a deadline.

RELATED: Stephens storms into semifinals

Trollope: I wrote about Stephens yesterday and said that in addition to all the weapons that made her great in the first place, she’s found a joy for competition and a consistency that were both somewhat absent in the earlier stages of her career. Provided she stays healthy, I see her as a genuine top-10 – maybe even top-five – threat.

Rogers: I’m just pleased Sloane is healthy again and finally fulfilling her long-threatened potential. If she can maintain and build on her current form, that is a scary proposition for her opponents. She has no points to defend for the next nine months either, so after slashing her ranking from No.957 to a projected No.34 in just four tournaments, a top 10 debut seems imminent.

Briscomb: She can be the world No.1. As it often is in tennis, Sloane never had issues with strength or speed; her problems were all mental. Playing tennis care-free is a dangerous weapon, and at only 24 years old, the American has discovered that mentality. If she can maintain it the sky’s the limit.

Federer v del Potro – who wins and why?

Moore: Federer all the way. Forget the fact that Delpo was feverish against Thiem. Even if the big man is firing I still don’t think he’s good enough to beat Roger playing at 100%. That said, is Roger 100%? If not, Delpo has a chance.

Christie: Federer. Both have had five-set tests at this US Open but del Potro’s is more recent and we know he’s been battling illness. Federer has improved with every match at the event, is the winner of his past three matches with del Potro (most recently at the Miami Masters) and leads their head-to-heads 16-5 overall. They haven’t played at the US Open since del Potro won their 2009 final in five sets. Roger has waited a long time to even that ledger.

Trollope: It has to be Federer, right? After five-set struggles in the first two rounds, he’s won his last two matches in straight. Del Potro, meanwhile, could be physically and emotionally drained after his five-set effort against Thiem – after struggling with illness to begin with. I’m not too worried about Federer’s MTO in the win over Kohlschreiber – he did the same in the semis and finals of the Australian Open and still won the whole damn thing. I just hope both are healthy enough to compete well and provide a spectacle – the men’s tournament really needs it.

Rogers: On form in the opening two rounds I would have picked del Potro, but Federer is finding his range and del Potro admitted he was physically struggling and considered retiring early in his five-set fourth round win over Thiem. It would be amazing to see these two play another US Open epic, but I don’t think this match will deliver. Federer will win in straight sets.

Briscomb: Roger. Playing himself into form against inexperienced opponents, the Swiss is now heating up in a big way with his last two wins lasting less than four hours combined.  The GOAT has played this masterfully and will devour an under-the-weather Delpo.