It’s the fourth round of the US Open. Who is ready to advance to the quarterfinals? Monday will see four matches, and they should all be great. Don’t miss them, or any other US Open action. We’re predicting them for you, too. Predicting these matches today are Tracey Essex, Damian Kust, and David Gertler.
US Open Day 8 Women’s Predictions
Kristie Ahn vs Elise Mertens
Tracey:
Elise Mertens has dropped just 14 games in three sets. Yet, no one has been playing at the level of red-hot Kristie Ahn. While Ahn has given up more games, she hasn’t dropped a set yet. This should be a battle between two very in form players. I give the edge to Mertens, who has more experience and holds up in big moments.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
David:
Kristie Ahn has done really well to get to the Round of 16, beating Jelena Ostapenko for the second time this season in the third round. However, Elise Mertens has quietly been playing really well, having not lost more than three games in a set so far this tournament. Mertens’s placement and consistency are better than Ahn’s, and that makes the difference here. Mertens moves on.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Damian:
The American wildcard threw out Grand Slam champions Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jelena Ostapenko, but Elise Mertens might be a step too far. The Belgian is not as erratic as Ahn’s prior opponents and has been stellar this fortnight, dropping a maximum of three games in a set. She made the fourth round here last year and it’s an excellent chance to take it a step further this time around.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Belinda Bencic
Tracey:
Belinda Bencic leads the head to head 3-1 and will be the fresher play. All positives in the Bencic column. But, after watching Naomi Osaka dial into her last match, it’s hard to pick against her. Even with a low first serve percentage, the powerful groundstrokes and laser sharp focus saw Osaka through with the loss of only three games. I see little which can derail Osaka at this point.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
David:
Naomi Osaka played very well in beating Coco Gauff easily in the third round. Belinda Bencic was fortunate that Anett Kontaveit withdrew from her third-round match. Bencic has won the last two (non-exhibition) matches against Osaka, both this year. However, Osaka finally looked like the player who won the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open. I think she’s locked into this tournament and will be able to overpower Bencic in this match. Osaka advances.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Damian:
Many were skeptical of Osaka’s chances to defend her title prior to this fortnight, but the Japanese woman has been quite convincing so far. Aside from choking away the second set against Anna Blinkova, the No.1 seed has been at her dominant best. Belinda Bencic caught some rest due to Anett’s Kontaveit withdrawal, and she’s no pushover. The Swiss defeated Osaka twice this year (Indian Wells, Madrid). Despite Bencic being a giant killer (eight top 10 wins this season so far), I’m still leaning towards Osaka as the level of play and mental stability she’s shown against Linette and Gauff makes me see her as one of the top contenders for the title.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Donna Vekic vs Julia Gorges
Tracey:
Donna Vekic may be the higher ranked player, but Julia Gorges certainly owns the head to head. A lot has changed since they last squared off and Vekic is clearly playing much better than she was in 2018. I think this is where Vekic finally gets a win against the German.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
David:
Donna Vekic is playing great, aggressive tennis, having not dropped a set this tournament. Julia Goerges had to survive a match point and win a third set tiebreaker against Natalia Vikhlyantseva in the first round, but has not dropped a set after that match. Goerges will be looking to take control of the points with her huge serve and powerful forehand. This match will come down to who can be the aggressor. Goerges leads the head to head 3-0, and this makes sense, as she just has a little more power than Vekic. Goerges advances.
Prediction: Goerges in 3
Damian:
Julia Goerges was almost out of the tournament, down a match point against Natalia Vikhlyantseva. Tennis is a game of slim margins, and the 26th seed now founds herself in the fourth round after great wins over Francesca Di Lorenzo and 7th seed Kiki Bertens. Vekic hasn’t dropped a set yet and the 23-year-old has the arsenal to dominate the play against the German. She’s got a great first serve and if she can stay composed and keep the unforced error count low, should be regarded as a small favorite.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Taylor Townsend vs Bianca Andreescu
Tracey:
Taylor Townsend backed up her win over Simona Halep with a straight sets win over Sorana Cirstea, showing her wins aren’t a fluke. The crowd is certainly behind the 23-year-old American. That’ll be a different feel for Bianca Andreescu, who usually receives that support. The Canadian has racked up far too many unforced errors, and she’ll need to rein that in if she hopes to see the quarterfinals. Where Townsend has stymied her opponents with net smothering play, Andreescu has perhaps the most variety of any player and should effectively counter that strategy.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
David:
Taylor Townsend is one of the stories of the US Open after reaching the Round of 16, beating No. 4 seed Simona Halep along the way. Townsend’s going to the net as often as she can, which is befuddling her opponents. Bianca Andreescu is having a fantastic year, having won Indian Wells and Toronto. The variety she plays with never allows opponents to get in a rhythm. Townsend’s net play also hurts the rhythm of her opponents. While Townsend’s game might be able to make Andreescu uncomfortable for a little while, Andreescu is one of the best problem-solvers on the tour, and I think she will figure out Townsend’s game eventually. Andreescu moves on.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Damian:
Can Andreescu handle Townsend’s vintage all-court attacking style? The American has approached the net 181 times in her last two matches, including a fantastic deciding tie-break win over Simona Halep. Andreescu is clearly the better ball striker, she’s won over 40 matches this year, losing just four times. Not often do you meet someone who plays like Townsend, especially on the women’s tour, and the Canadian might struggle out there for a set, but I believe in her ability to adapt.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
