On day four at the US Open, the top half of the women’s draw will clash for a place in the third round. Set to be in action are defending champion Naomi Osaka, who faces Bronx Open champion Magda Linette, and future star Cori Gauff who will take on Timea Babos. Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, meanwhile, is set to face Taylor Townsend whilst two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki is also in action. Offering their predictions for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Jordan Zakery and Tracey Essex.
US Open Day Four Predictions
Kiki Bertens vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Jim: Kiki Bertens might be primarily known as a clay-courter, but she showed last year in Cincinnati, where she won the title, that she can do plenty of damage on hard courts as well. She looked sharp in beating Paula Badosa Gibert in the first round, but will likely have to work harder to see of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Nonetheless, expect Bertens’ clean ball striking to be enough to see her past the Russian.
Prediction: Bertens in 3
Jordan: Bertens has not had her best year despite some success earlier in the season. But she had a fine first-round win and seems that she is continuing to play quality defense while mixing in offense as needed. Pavlyuchenkova is not an easy opponent due to her many years of experience playing on the tour. She won’t make rookie mistakes against Bertens, but in the end, I think Bertens is better than her in almost every area of the game.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
Tracey: Winning 89% of first serves in play, 60% of second serves and breaking serve on 75% of her opportunities, Kiki Bertens is playing solid. The seventh seed is perhaps the most overlooked player capable of making a title run in New York. Pavlyuchenkova won her opener in straight sets, but her opponent was not near the level she’ll face in the second round. I see little chance of Pavlyuchenkova having any win strategy against the elite Bertens.
Prediction: Bertens in 2
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Julia Goerges vs Francesca Di Lorenzo
Jim: After a career-best 2018, Julia Goerges has struggled for consistency this year. She did manage to recover from a slow start against Natalia Vikhlyantseva impressively, but will not be able to afford such a lapse against the in-form American young gun Francesca Di Lorenzo, who bested Veronika Kudermetova in the first round. Expect another statement win from Di Lorenzo.
Prediction: Di Lorenzo in 3
Jordan: Goerges got dusted in the opening set of her first-round match and it took a third set tie-break to finally finish off her opponent. Georges is very talented, but it seems she has been dealing with an injury. Francesca Di Lorenzo has been playing well of late and even upset Petra Martic at the Rogers Cup. While I don’t think she beats a 100 percent fit Goerges, something about this match smells of an upset in favor of the American.
Prediction: Di Lorenzo in 3
Tracey: Di Lorenzo stunned Kudermetova in her opening match, winning 7-6, 6-2 as the Buckeye enjoyed her maiden win at the US Open. Now comes the tall task of outplaying the hard-hitting German, Julia Goerges. Di Lorenzo can gain some confidence from Goerges’ questionable record at this tournament where the German has just one round of 16 appearance and seven first-round exits. All signs point to the American being poised for a breakthrough and I think it can happen here.
Prediction: Di Lorenzo in 3
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Caroline Wozniacki vs Danielle Collins
Jim: Both Caroline Wozniacki and Danielle Collins battled their way to scrappy first-round wins, which rather suggests that whilst this match will be competitive, it may not be particularly high on quality. But Collins, with the backing of the home crowd and a greater willingness to go on the offensive, could well just have the edge.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Jordan: Wozniacki managed to escape defeat in her opening round with a tough three set comeback. She doesn’t seem to be the player she once was, but she is a fierce competitor and consistent counter puncher. Collins will have crowd support and did well to hold her nerve to close out a three-set victory in the first-round. Despite that I don’t see Collins having enough power to hit through the defense of Wozniacki.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Tracey: After seven losses when pushed to a decider, Wozniacki came through against Yafan Wang. Staunch defence has long been the platform of her career, but in the first round, Wozniacki found the aggressive shot making required to win. That will be vital against Collins. The feisty American plays an aggressive game, punctuated by her easy power and clever redirection. Look for Wozniacki to retrieve until Collins gives her the opening to take control of the court. It’s the turnaround Wozniacki has been working towards and could see her through to at least the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
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Kristie Ahn vs Anna Kalinskaya
Jim: Anna Kalinskaya scored a very impressive first-round win over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, adding to the American’s troubles in 2019. But will the Russian be able to back it up against Kristie Ahn? She will certainly have the confidence to do so after her great run through the qualifying. This tournament looks like it might just be the making of Kalinskaya.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Jordan: This encounter may not have the star power, but it could be a great match. Ahn took down recent Cincinnati semifinalist Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round by making first serves at a very high rate. Kalinskaya also pulled off a big upset of former US Open champion Stephens. Her playing style was consistent and she could crack a winner when needed. The match key was her poise during the big points. I look for that poise to be the decider against Ahn.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Tracey: Had you asked me last week, I would have picked Ahn for the win. Today, it’s Kalinskaya all the way. The Russian qualifier found herself on Arthur Ashe Stadium against America’s beloved Stephens, but showed no sign of nerves nor angst with the crowd support behind Stephens. The 20-year-old simply got down to business and didn’t let up. Ahn should be confident after a straight sets win over the resurgent Kuznetsova, highlighted by a great serving performance. But the American only capitalized on 30% of her break-point opportunities. Look out, Ahn – Kalinskaya claimed 75% of her break point opportunities. Kalinskaya moves on to the third round.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
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