Day four at the US Open will see the top half of the women’s draw battle for a place in the third round. In action are top seed Naomi Osaka, young superstar Cori Gauff who will take on Timea Babos, whilst Wimbledon champion Simona Halep is set to face Taylor Townsend and former-finalist Caroline Wozniacki will face Australian Open semifinalist Danielle Collins. Offering their predictions for this slate of matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust and Tracey Essex.
US Open Day Four Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Magda Linette
Jim: Naomi Osaka made a less than convincing start to her US Open campaign, but just about managed to battle past Anna Blinkova. Unforced errors were a real problem for her in that match, a problem that Bronx champion Magda Linette will have the form and confidence to punish. But if Osaka can play with more composure, she should have more than enough to reach the third round.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Damian: The world #1 was far from perfect against Blinkova and some loose errors cost her the second set. She will once again be tested against Linette, who is in on a brilliant nine-match winning streak, including a maiden title at the Bronx Open. But the Pole has played nine matches in 12 days and if it goes the distance she might not have enough left in the tank.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Tracey: Osaka made a rather slow start, but after dropping serve to give Blinkova a 4-1 lead in the first set, Osaka stormed back. While it took three sets for the Japanese superstar to come through, she did just that. Eight aces and one double fault is an improvement on the Osaka serve. And that serve will need to be sharp against the in-form Linette. Certainly, Linette will give Osaka a run for her money. But, when Osaka is firing on all cylinders, she’s a true force.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
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Alize Cornet vs Belinda Bencic
Jim: Belinda Bencic is still yet to really make her mark at one of the Slams, with her best result a quarterfinal showing in New York in 2014. But she has had a fine season started very sharply against Mandy Minella, winning 6-3 6-2 and if she can perform at that level again against Alize Cornet, she shouldn’t have too many problems in dispatching the Frenchwoman.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Damian: It’s been five years since Bencic made quarterfinals in New York and it’s high time she had another good run. The Swiss has a very complex game and she’ll fancy her chances against Cornet, who hasn’t enjoyed much success this season.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Tracey: Cornet played well in her opener against the Washington champion Jessica Pegula. It was a solid outing for Cornet, whose return of serve led her to break the Pegula serve on four out of six opportunities. But the Frenchwoman’s run may be short-lived as Belinda Bencic is an elite and in-form opponent. Bencic won her opener serving at 55%. When she ups that stat, it’ll make winning all the easier. A solid serve with her on-point return of serve will send Bencic to the third round.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Alison Riske
Jim: It remains almost impossible to know what to expect from Jelena Ostapenko, but she has played some good tennis of late. But will that be enough against Wimbledon quarterfinalist Alison Riske? In front of her home crowd, the American played some great tennis to beat Garbine Muguruza 2-6 6-1 6-3 and she has the game to beat another Grand Slam champion.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Damian: Riske has barely played since that Wimbledon quarterfinal run but she seems back on the right track after a good win over Garbine Muguruza. You never really know what to expect from Ostapenko but her season so far tells us that she’s more likely to make tons of unforced errors rather than redline like in her 2017 French Open campaign.
Prediction: Riske in 3
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Elise Mertens vs Kristyna Pliskova
Jim: Elise Mertens made a terrific start to her US Open, dismissing Jil Teichmann for the loss of just four games. That will surely give her real confidence heading into her clash with Kristyna Pliskova, who she beat earlier this year in Doha in their only previous meeting. Pliskova won in straight-sets as well up against 16-year-old Diane Parry, but expect Mertens to prove a rather sterner test.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Damian: The Belgian got the better of the lower-ranked Pliskova twin in Doha and she should repeat that victory on Thursday. She’s been very consistent with her results lately, with not many big runs but she usually takes the matches is supposed to win.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Tracey: Mertens made a solid, clean outing in the first round leading her to a straight sets win. Fatigue will be the only factor which may hamper Mertens’ deep run. Seeded fourth in the doubles draw alongside Aryna Sabalenka may tap into the Belgian’s energy reserves. But that shouldn’t be an issue yet. Against Kristyna Pliskova, Mertens has all the tools to see her through to the third round.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
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