The second round is set to begin at the US Open. That means that we at LWOT will be predicting every single match from here on out. Each set of predictions contains four matches. In addition to this set, we have three more. One set headlines Iga Swiatek vs Anastasija Sevastova. Another features Serena Williams vs Caty McNally. And the final one highlights Lauren Davis vs Ashleigh Barty. Predicting today are Tracey Essex, Jim Smith, and Harsh Bhoot.
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Madison Keys vs Lin Zhu
Tracey:
This should be another-confidence boosting match for Madison Keys. The #10 seed is playing so solid and there are so very few instances in which Keys goes for too much too soon. Zhu Lin spends most of her time on the ITF circuit and this will be a big moment in the second round of a Slam against one of the fan favorites. Nerves will be Zhu’s biggest challenge and Keys is just too strong.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Jim:
After winning in Cincinnati, Keys will surely have high hopes of making a real impact at the US Open. After her first-round demolition of Misaki Doi it is hard to bet against her doing so. Zhu made an impressive US Open debut by beating her compatriot Xin Yu Wang in straight sets, but it is hard to see her proving a real obstacle to Keys.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Harsh:
Misaki Doi looked competitive in the first set but Madison Keys is carrying a rich vein of form into this year’s US Open. It’ll take something special to stop the American and while Zhu Lin played well in her first-round match, it won’t be enough to match the firepower of Keys.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Mariam Bolkvadze
Tracey:
Mariam Bolkvadez was dialed in to Bernarda Pera’s serve. It allowed the Georgian to win 44% of the American’s service points. But, as the competition gets tougher so do Bolkvadze’s chances to bring in a win. A fixture on the ITF circuit, this is a big moment for 21-year-old Bolkvadze – way too big of a moment to expect much against the #3 seed. Karolina Pliskova definitely needs to clean up her unforced errors, but it won’t hurt her that much in this match-up as the big serve will save her from service breaks.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Jim:
Pliskova made hard work of her first-round clash with Tereza Martincova, but ultimately managed to come through unscathed. She will need to make a sharp improvement against Bolkvadze, who will be full of confidence after coming through the qualifying. But if Pliskova can find her first serve and impose herself off the ground, she should prove too strong.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Harsh:
This match may make people take notice of Mariam Bolkvadze, a young Georgian player playing in her first-ever Grand Slam main draw. But when she takes on Karolina Pliskova, seeded third this year, it’ll be a daunting challenge. Pliskova hasn’t made a deep run in a Grand Slam since this year’s Australian Open and will be desperate to make amends for that. It was a tough workout in the first round but should progress to the last 32 without any mishaps.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Su-wei Hsieh vs Karolina Muchova
Tracey:
Karolina Muchova won in straight sets against Hsieh Su-wei in their only meeting. It’s always an advantage for Hsieh in a first meeting. Few can come out firing against the crafty Taiwanese. Yet, Muchova found the formula and took the win. Hsieh seems to learn her opponents quite well. No doubt she’ll remember Muchova’s success strategy from Doha, and will be planning her moves and counter-moves. With so much variety, I think Hsieh can pick the right shot to neutralize Muchova. It’s the Hsieh serve which concerns me against the Czech who can punish any ball which misses its mark. A long, tough match is on the horizon. But, Hsieh learned enough from their last meeting and the #29 seed should punch her ticket to the third round.
Prediction: Hsieh in 3
Jim:
Hsieh has picked up some great results again this year, but the high-bouncing hard courts of North America do not suit her game particularly well. The more powerful Muchova should like her chances of advancing here.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Harsh:
This one is definitely going to be an interesting matchup. Can Karolina Muchova stand up to the court craft of Hsieh Su-Wei? Probably yes if their earlier meeting at Doha 2019 is taken into consideration. Muchova has had a decent 2019 with a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon to boast. But the young Czech knows full well what her opponent is capable of even though Hsieh is yet to reach the third round here. A tough one to call but I’m backing Muchova to edge this one.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Lauren Davis vs Ashleigh Barty
Tracey:
It was a slow start for Ashleigh Barty in her first round against Zarina Diyas. It shows what the Aussie is capable of when she’s not playing nearly her best. Lauren Davis is such a question mark. The American can bring in a win against top tier opponents or she can lose to a player where you’d expect an easy win. There’s just not enough consistency to the Davis game. Barty needs to clean up her unforced errors, but she was turning the corner toward the end of the Diyas match. And, I just can’t see enough weapons for Davis to bounce Barty.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Jim:
Barty made a terrible start to her US Open, but managed to recover to see off Zarina Diyas fairly comfortably in the end. Nonetheless, that match highlighted her vulnerability on a hard court to players who can tee-off from the baseline. Unfortunately for Davis, she is not one of them.
Prediction: Barty in 2
Harsh:
This is a tough one for Lauren Davis having to take on the second seed Ashleigh Barty. Barty did well to pull herself together in the last two sets against Zarina Diyas. Davis has never progressed past the second round here, a stat unlikely to change as Barty looks to have played herself into some kind of form, making the semi-finals at Cincinnati. Expect Barty to get past the American.
Prediction: Barty in 2
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