US Open Tennis Schedule 2013: Day 7 Matchups, Predictions and Analysis

There aren't a lot of matchups scheduled for Sunday at the U.S. Open, but the quality of play from Flushing Meadows is sure to make up for that. 

Headlining the day's action is surely Serena Williams vs. Sloane Stephens. Although it's just a fourth-round matchup, it will serve as quite possibly the most anticipated of the entire women's draw with the exception of a potential Serena vs. No. 2 Victoria Azarenka in the final.

But then you've also got last year's men's champion Andy Murray and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in their respective third-round matches, as well as a very compelling battle between top-10 ladies Jelena Jankovic and Li Na. 

Quantity certainly will not equal quality on Sunday. 

Let's take a look:

Schedule of Play for Day 7's Top Courts

Note: For the complete Schedule of Play for Day 7, click here. For a complete look at the updated draws, click here. Links courtesy of USOpen.org.

Day 7 Viewing Information

Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

When: Sunday, Sep. 1, starting at 11 a.m. ET

Watch: CBS, CBS Sports Network, Tennis Channel

Predictions for Sunday's Top Stars

Serena Williams vs. Sloane Stephens

With Sloane Stephens being an American woman who has a tantalizing blend of power and agility and has already displayed burgeoning success at the majors, many will dub this Serena vs. "The Next Serena."

Although that's a bit of a lazy comparison, there are certainly plenty of similarities between the two women, and the 20-year-old Stephens looks primed to take over as the top American lady whenever Serena decides to give up the reins.

Just to add to the intrigue, the two have already established a bit of rivalry with Stephens upsetting Williams at the Australian Open this year, evening the head-to-head matchup at one win apiece:

And now you've got the world No. 1 calling herself the underdog, per Sports Illustrated's Tennis Twitter account:

Whether she's playing mind games or genuinely showing respect toward the next great American—it's likely a little of both—is uncertain, but it undoubtedly gives a glimpse into how uncommonly fascinating this will be for a fourth-round matchup.

Stephens' moment is coming, and after a first-round scare she has looked tremendous this week, but betting against the defending champion Williams in New York is a no-no. 

Prediction: Williams wins, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4

Novak Djokovic vs. Joao Sousa

It's been quite a thrilling ride for 24-year-old Portugal international Joao Sousa. 

He began the tournament with a five-set upset victory over No. 25 seed Grigor Dimitrov, and followed that up with another five-set win over Jarkko Nieminen, this time winning the final two sets to advance. 

Things won't be so easy against Djokovic, who has never faced Sousa in his career. 

Djoker crushed Ricardas Berankis, who was actually hitting some good shots, in the first round and handled Benjamin Becker in straight sets after a slow start in the second. He has made it to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows the last six years and is at his best on the hard courts.  

Sousa has displayed some pretty tremendous resolve this week, and he certainly won't back down to the world No. 1, but Djokovic is too talented and too determined to worry about an upset here. 

Prediction: Djokovic wins, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2