We are wrapping up the first week of the US Open as 16 women try to book the final eight spots in the Round of 16. Of those eight matches, we are here to predict the five best for you. Predicting today are writers Lukas Weese, Tracey Essex, and Brett Margolies, along with editor Yesh Ginsburg.
Panelists Predictions US Open Day 6 Women’s Matches
Caroline Garcia vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Lukas:
This is the third meeting between these two ladies, with Garcia winning the first two. Garcia is coming into this match having defeated Monica Puig in three sets. She won 63% of her total service points and saved eight of her 10 break points. Suarez Navarro is also coming off a three set victory. She hopes to make the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the eighth time in twelve appearances. But I like Garcia to advance in this match, using her previous experience against Suarez Navarro to prevail to the Round of 16.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Brett:
Caroline Garcia survived a tough test against an in-form Monica Puig. Suarez Navarro fought back to defeat Kiki Mladenovic but will have to play a lot better to get past Garcia. I don’t think Suarez Navarro will keep this match close.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Tracey:
To move past Carla Suarez Navarro, Caroline Garcia will need to clean up her unforced errors. Suarez Navarro has had a solid hard court season, is enjoying a 60% first serve and surly can win this match. I believe Garcia has another level she can rise to, and if she finds it, the match is hers.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Yesh:
Suarez Navarro always manages to surprise us at the biggest events. She may have another one in store, but right now Garcia is clearly the superior player.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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Madison Keys vs Aleksandra Krunic
Lukas:
Madison Keys is coming into this match after a straight set victory where she won 90% of her first serve points and only had 16 unforced errors. Krunic is coming off a straight set victory as well. Both players have split their four matches they have played against each other. Krunic has not been able to follow up a solid win with another one. I like Keys to advance and use her groundstrokes to her advantage to pull off the win.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Brett:
After not having the best summer, American Madison Keys is playing well at the right time. Last years finalist hasn’t quite recaptured her US Open 2017 form, but she’s getting there. She’s up against Krunic who’s had a little US Open success herself, but Keys should win here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
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Tracey:
Keys’ powerful groundstrokes give her an advantage with most opponents, but Krunic’s amazing defense and speed will turn this into a scrap. If Keys can stay focused and find her big weapons, it should allow her to overpower Krunic. The Serb’s exceptional court coverage may make it impossible to hit through. This will be a long match and quite candidly could go either way–all depending on how Keys plays.
Prediction: Krunic in 3
Yesh:
Keys is definitely the better player, but she’s had a rough summer and Krunic has just looked incredible this tournament. If she keeps up her level, Keys could be in trouble.
Prediction: Krunic in 2
Angelique Kerber vs Dominika Cibulkova
Lukas:
Cibulkova and Kerber meet for the 13th time, with Kerber leading the head to head 7-5. Both ladies are coming into this match winning three set thrillers. Both are great movers and can come up with tremendous groundstrokes. I like Kerber to advance in a close match to the Round of 16.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Brett:
Angelique Kerber made things tougher then they had to be in her three-set win over Johanna Larson. She’ll have to raise her level against a dangerous player in Cibulkova who typically plays well when the stakes are high. This should be a high-quality match, but I think the 2016 US Open champion will win.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Tracey:
For anyone watching Cibulkova’s post-match interview Thursday, it was obvious she was exhausted. The heat and battle has taken its toll and a day off won’t be nearly enough time for her to recover and face an opponent of Kerber’s magnitude.
Prediction: Kerber in 2
Yesh:
Kerber has been a little inconsistent this tournament. If that happens again she could be in trouble against the hard-hitting Cibulkova. Still, the German is the better player so I have to think she’ll get through in the end.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
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Petra Kvitova vs Aryna Sabalenka
Lukas:
Kvitova is coming into this match after a straight set victory. She won only 59% of her service points, but has broken opponents serve nine times in the last four sets. Sabalenka is also coming into this match with aa straight set victory but clearly does not have the experience of matches later on in Grand Slam tournament. Despite Sabalenka winning 13 of her last 15 matches on the hard court, I like Kvitova to use her experience to get her back to the Round of 16 of a Major.
Prediction: Kvitova in 3
Brett:
Petra Kvitova surprisingly managed to make it through to the third round without any heat-related issues. That was a little surprising considering this is the Slam where she has the most problems. Sabalenka isn’t showing any signs of fatigue after winning in New Haven last week, I think she’ll keep the momentum going and reach the round of 16 in New York.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
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Tracey:
With both her serve on target and her return game solid, it would be hard for anyone to find their way through the 20-year-old Sabalenka. Kvitova has been playing well and could have enjoyed the fourth round if it weren’t for Sabalenka blocking her path.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Yesh:
Sabalenka has had an unreal summer, but I think this is where playing New Haven finally catches up to her. She has played a ton of tennis in an exhausting two weeks, and she is finally up against someone who can match her power from the baseline.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Maria Sharapova
Lukas:
Maria Sharapova has not dropped a set this tournament. Ostapenko has had to play three setters in both of her opening matches. With the heat playing a factor, you got to go with the experienced player here. I like Sharapova to use her powerful game to advance to the Round of 16.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
Brett:
I don’t think Maria Sharapova can win if she plays the way she did against Sorana Cirstea in what was one of the uglier matches so far during the US Open. Jelena Ostapenko is going to make her get a lot back which might bode well for the Latvian. Sharapova won their only meeting earlier this year in Rome, but I think Ostapenko will even the H2H tomorrow.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Tracey:
Sharapova’s first two matches allowed her to move through in straight sets, while Ostapenko has fought through two tough three-setters in the brutal New York heat. Will fatigue be a factor for Ostapenko? Probably, but few players have her firey style and youth is definitely on her side. This one will go the distance, with a lot of twists and turns, Ostapenko will find a way to make it to the fourth round.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Yesh:
Sharapova has not been at her best this tournament, but neither has Ostapenko. Both of these players are former Slam champions that are searching for their forms. Sharapova almost choked away a huge lead in the first round, and played an ugly match in the second. Ostapenko hasn’t played well either, dropping sets to both Andrea Petkovic and Taylor Townsend. This match will go to whoever can find better form faster. I’ll go with Sharapova’s experience, but it really is a toss-up.
Prediction: Sharapova in 2
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