The second round of the US Open starts on Wednesday. We’re here at LWOT to predict every match match for you. Who will win on Day 3? Let’s look at the matches. This set of predictions contains four matches. We also have three more groups for Wednesday’s matches. One features Madison Brengle vs Dayana Yastremska, the next headlines CiCi Bellis vs Jennifer Brady, and the final group features Naomi Osaka vs Camila Giorgi. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Andrew Watson, and Damian Kust.
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Angelique Kerber vs Anna-Lena Friedsam
Jim:
Kerber may not be the force she once was, but the German has played some good tennis this season and looked sharp in beating Ajla Tomljanovic in straight sets in the first round. If she can maintain that level in the second round against her compatriot Friedsam, who she has beaten in both their previous meetings, expect the 2016 champion to book her place in the third round.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Andrew:
Kerber has been mentioned as a dark horse for the title owing to her experience of having done it previously. She was good against a potentially tricky opponent in Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round winning all five break point opportunities created. Meanwhile, Friedsam was able to dominate Caroline Dolehide and faced just one break point in the match whilst creating fifteen against the American. Kerber won’t give her fellow German those kinds of opportunities but she will still require a good performance to win.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Damian:
Angelique Kerber appears to be carrying a slight injury, making her serve a lot slower and easier to attack. Still, her game off the ground is there and it is unlikely that Friedsam will be confident enough to attack it consistently. Kerber should get through although she might not be in for a deep run in this event.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Vera Lapko vs Yulia Putintseva
Jim:
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Putintseva was largely untroubled in beating the 15-year-old Robin Montgomery in her opener in New York. Lapko, who scored a hard-fought win over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic in the first round, seems destined to provide a more searching examination. But the Kazakh should still have enough to reach the third round.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Andrew:
Lapko produced one of the biggest comebacks of the first round against Viktoria Golubic. Lapko was 6-1 4-1 (*40-15) when she somehow broke back and came all the way back to win the match. Putintseva meanwhile was fairly untroubled against 15-year-old wildcard Robin Montgomery in the first set, but once the teen got settled it took a bit more out of the Kazakh. The seeded player should again get through this test as well unless Lapko can produce another miracle.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Damian:
Lapko was down a set and double-break in the first round, somehow turning it around for a deciding set win over Viktorija Golubic. Putinsteva will present a much different challenge though. The Kazakh is in good form, only losing to in-form players, and her counterpunching is usually enough to wear down players like Lapko.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Shelby Rogers
Jim:
This could prove to be one of the more entertaining matches of the day. Rogers has enjoyed a largely successful summer so far, highlighted by a win over Serena Williams in Lexington, and maintained that good form with a convincing win over Irina Khromacheva. Ultimately, however, the gulf in class between her and Rybakina may well just too great for her to bridge.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Andrew:
This could be a tough match-up. Rybakina recaptured her early season form in the opening round looking powerful in losing only three games. Rogers produced a great run in Lexington recently and her serve looked strong against Khromacheva, losing only four points behind her first serve. This will be a serve dominated match with the player who takes their break point chances likely to emerge victorious. Rybakina has the slightly better historical record for this so the verdict leans her way.
Prediction: Rybakina in 3
Damian:
Elena Rybakina was one of the world’s best players prior to the pandemic break. She is yet to reach these heights after the restart and shouldn’t be considered a huge favorite against Shelby Rogers. The American lost just to in-form Jil Teichmann at the Western & Southern Open and in Lexington, picking up a confidence-building win over Serena Williams in the process. This might be a good opportunity for Rogers to pick up a great win on home soil and continue her comeback to the top of the game.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Kirsten Flipkens vs Jessica Pegula
Jim:
Pegula is in the form of her life. Fresh from reaching the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open, the American overcame a tough first-round draw in the shape of Marie Bouzkova, winning in three. Flipkens, meanwhile, beat the out-of-form Rebecca Peterson. But it is hard to see her enjoying much success against Pegula.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Andrew:
Flipkens won a tight match against Rebecca Peterson in the opening round. There were only three breaks in total in that match as both players repeatedly failed to take their chances. Pegula certainly saved a lot of break points in her battle with Marie Bouzkova as well, but emerged victorious in a third set tie-break. Pegula has shown much greater form than Flipkens recently and it would be a surprise if the American didn’t advance here.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Damian:
The American picked up some stunning form in the WorldTeam Tennis exhibitions and she is riding on that well with a quarterfinal in “Cincinnati” and a great win over Marie Bouzkova in the first round. The veteran Flipkens can make an opponent uncomfortable with her unusual tactics, but Pegula is to be taken very, very seriously right now.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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