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. Both Williams sisters play on Wednesday. Will they both move on? We’re sharing our thoughts. 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
Sofia Kenin vs Laura Siegemund
Tracey:
Sofia Kenin meets Laura Siegemund, a player with a similar style and equal tenacity. Two feisty competitors which move well and won’t shy away from grinding out a win. Yet, Kenin has the bigger weapons, the better form and is more reliable in the big moments.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Jim:
Kenin has had a great year and will surely be targeting a deep run at her home Slam. She certainly looked impressive in out-hitting her compatriot Coco Vandeweghe, a semifinalist at the US Open just two years ago, in the first round. This should be another reasonably routine outing for the rising American star.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Harsh:
Sofia Kenin looks in good form since Canada, reaching the semis in Toronto and Cincinnati losing to eventual champions both times. Her first-round match against CoCo Vandeweghe was a good test for her and she passed it positively. Her serve can lead to her downfall at times but she protected it well as she saved all break points she faced. This match should be an easy one for Kenin when she takes on Laura Siegemund, a player who has never made it past the third round at any Grand Slam.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Ons Jabeur vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Tracey:
Ons Jabeur shocked the US Open by upsetting France’s Caroline Garcia. In a match comprised of quite a few service breaks, it was the Tunisian who dug deep to keep Garcia at just four breaks of serve. Jabeur converted all six of her break point opportunities and that talent is something of which Aliaksandra Sasnovich should approach with caution. The Belarusian won only 43% of her second service points against American Jen Brady. And, that will be a dangerous position for Sasnovich against Jabeur’s sharp return of serve. If the first service doesn’t go up for the Belorussian, the match will quickly escape her.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Jim:
Sasnovich has been on the receiving end of some disappointing losses lately, but did well to come out on top in a seesawing first-round match against the USA’s Jennifer Brady. Jabeur, meanwhile, dismissed 27th seed Carolina Garcia, heaping further problems on the Frenchwoman. And if she can carry the level of tennis she played in that match into the second round, she should be able to book her place in the last 32.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Harsh:
Both players certainly proved me wrong, winning their respective first-round matches against tough opponents. Ons Jabeur certainly looked good playing the important points better than the higher-ranked Caroline Garcia. Aliaksandra Sasnovich looked like she played two different matches in her first-round match, running away with the first and last sets pretty easily. Jabeur served an impressive nine aces but won only 36% of points on her second serve, a statistic that if not improved would prove fatal against Sasnovich.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
Alison Van Uytvanck vs Qiang Wang
Tracey:
The hard-hitting Alison Van Uytvanck may trouble Wang Qiang a bit. But, Wang has shown her hard court prowess with a semifinal run at the Bronx Open. I give Wang the slight edge and expect Van Uytvanck won’t find the court when Wang gets her racket on Van Uytvanck’s intended point enders.
Prediction: Wang in 2
Jim:
Wang Qiang had been one of the more consistent performers on the WTA tour this season under the tutelage of Peter McNamara, but has struggled to breakthrough at the Majors. After McNamara’s untimely death, it is hard to assess where her game is mentally. But if she can find some inspiration, she should have enough to see of Van Uytvanck’s challenge.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Harsh:
18th seed Wang Qiang enters this match as the slight favorite but Alison Van Uytvanck can prove to be a potent opponent. While Van Uytvanck did defeat Wang last year in Rome, she’s not been at her best on hard courts. Wang hasn’t broken through at Grand Slam level but she’s slowly risen through the ranking and I expect her to pull through this one.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Serena Williams vs Caty McNally
Tracey:
It’s the second serve which will be Caty McNally’s undoing in this second round clash. The 17-year-old simply doesn’t have a high enough first serve percentage to protect her serve. And Serena Williams will jump all over that weak offering. With Serena’s focus and determination in her opener, I don’t see the 23-time Slam champion bowing out in the second round. Obviously, consistency is always an issue for the veteran superstar. But this is too great a challenge for the inexperienced McNally.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Jim:
Maria Sharapova may have played right into Williams’ hands, but it was still a statement win for the great American. The 17-year-old McNally acquitted herself very well in her US Open opener with a 6-1 6-4 win over Timea Bacsinszky, and this match will provide her with a great chance to measure herself up against one of the best to ever play the sport. But don’t expect her to give Williams too many problems.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Harsh:
While Serena vs Sharapova didn’t live up to the hype expectantly, this second-round match promises to be a tight affair. Caty McNally is just 17 years old but if her first-round match is anything to go by, she’s definitely going to be competitive. McNally may push Serena but her serve looked fragile dropping serve four times against Timea Bacsinszky. Serena looked so dominant in her opening match and will be much more punishing on McNally’s serve.
Prediction: Williams in 3
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