US Open Fast Forward returns with a mixture of women’s fourth-round and men’s third-round encounters.  For a more detailed look at the collision between Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens, explore an article by contributor Joanie Agler.

Jelena Jankovic vs. Li Na:  The Primetime women’s match fully deserves the lights of Arthur Ashe.  Resurgent this year after a long dormant spell, Jankovic appears in the second week of the US Open for the first time since reaching the 2008 final.  She likely will rejoin the top 10 after the tournament, where she aims for a second quarterfinal in three majors.  A semifinalist at both Premier Five tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati, Li looks to avenge a loss on clay to Jankovic this spring.  She can modulate smoothly between offense and defense, but she likely will claim the former role against Jankovic.  The mental game can loom as either a key strength or a fatal flaw of both women, so it will be intriguing to see who handles the pressure better if the match stays close.  Also of note are the two sparkling two-handed backhands on display, although Li holds a clear edge in the forehand department.

Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Marcos Baghdatis:  Only one man other than title favorite Rafael Nadal has not dropped more than four games in a set in New York.  Nobody would have expected Marcos Baghdatis to claim that honor, part of which he owes to an injury suffered by second-round opponent Kevin Anderson.  Still, for a man with dubious fitness, those efficient victories should stand him in good stead for what promises to be a physical, grinding encounter.  The flat lasers that Baghdatis unleashes for groundstrokes will contrast with the heavier strokes crafted by Wawrinka’s topspin.  The Swiss No. 2 did not pay the price for a dismal US Open Series, overcoming towering server Ivo Karlovic despite the fast courts more suited to his opponent (and Baghdatis).

Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Angelique Kerber:  Both of these women stand out from the WTA rank-and-file in different ways.  While Suarez Navarro wields the most elegant one-handed backhand since the era of Justine Henin, Kerber will be the only lefty in the top 10 after the US Open.  She avenged a Wimbledon loss to Kaia Kanepi in emphatic fashion to reach the second week, and the German knows what it takes to launch a deep run in New York.  The 2011 US Open semifinalist should engage in long rallies with the diminutive Spaniard, both players more natural counterpunchers than aggressors.  Suarez Navarro has not dropped a set against three opponents of contrasting playing styles, so she should bring confidence into their first meeting.

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Ekaterina Makarova:  Although they have not squared off since 2011, Radwanska has swept all of their meetings in straight sets.  The Pole battled past a persistent Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, showing the tenacity that should prove valuable against another Russian.  Seeking her third quarterfinal at the last four hard-court majors, Makarova relies on sharply angled lefty serves and forehands to open the court.  Her volatile temper can undermine her against a player as adept at frustrating an opponent as Radwanska.  Still, Makarova stopped Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki in her tracks with courageously clutch play.

Tim Smyczek vs. Marcel Granollers:  The last American man still standing in New York survived a five-setter in the second round and rallied from losing the first set in both of his matches.  Smyczek will not want to dig himself an early hole against Granollers, a much more experienced player.  More noted in doubles than singles, the Spaniard has earned the majority of his success on clay.  The match thus does not seem unwinnable for Smyczek, even though he enters as the underdog.

Evgeny Donskoy vs. Lleyton Hewitt:  Not a particularly scintillating match on its face, it poses the question of whether Hewitt can recover physically and emotionally from his dramatic upset over Juan Martin Del Potro.  That five-setter would have left many a  man too drained to compete in the next round, yet the Aussie has shown before that he can rebound as well as anyone.  Donskoy has reached the third round at both hard-court majors this year, largely benefiting from soft draws, while he took a set from Murray in Miami.  This youngster stands at the opposite end of the career arc from Hewitt.