Day 4 of the US Open means that we’re wrapping up the second round. There are 16 matches on Thursday, and we at LWOT are here to predict all of them. Who will move on to the third round? We share our thoughts. In addition to this set of predictions, we also have three more groups. One features Serena Williams vs Margarita Gasparyan, the next headlines Amanda Anisimova vs Katrina Scott, and the final group features Victoria Azarenka vs Aryna Sabalenka. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Jim Smith, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
US Open Day 4 Predictions
Madison Keys vs Aliona Bolsova
Tracey:
Keys turned in a commanding performance in her opener against Timea Babos. The 25-year-old American won’t square off against a seeded player until the Round of 16, making this an ideal draw. The only obstacle in the foreseeable future is Keys herself. If she can continue to play within herself and keep unforced errors from escalating, the trophy is not that far outside her grasp. This year is undoubtedly Keys best chance for a title in New York.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Yesh:
Keys has had her ups and downs, but she’s in good form and should be strong enough to outclass Bolsova here, who pulled off a huge upset in her opening match.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Jim:
Bolsova’s win over the in-form Jil Teichmann was one of the more surprising results of the first round at the US Open. But the Spaniard will surely need to find her very best tennis if she is to get past Keys, who demolished Timea Babos for the loss of only two games. But the quick conditions should heavily favour the powerful Keys and, as a result, it is hard to see any outcome other than a Keys win.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Tsvetana Pironkova vs Garbine Muguruza
Tracey:
Tsvetana Pironkova’s return from a three-year break was nothing short of spectacular. Her solid serving and squash style forehand kept her in control from the start. The Bulgarian’s ability to absorb pace will be an advantage against hard-hitting Muguruza. The Pironkova game has the elements which will frustrate the Spaniard, and that may be all it takes for Pironkova to move onto the third round. But, the key will be for Pironkova to get this one done quickly. The longer the match lasts, the more comfortable Muguruza will become.
Prediction: Pironkova in 2
Yesh:
A decade ago, Pironkova was famous for being a grass court specialist and Venus Williams’ Slam kryptonite. Now, though, she’s well past her prime and on a surface she doesn’t like as well as Muguruza does.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Jim:
Muguruza took a while to get going in the first round against Nao Hibino, but she ended up recording a fine 6-4 6-4 win. The veteran Pironkova was impressive in her own right, brushing aside Ludmilla Samsonova. But now that Muguruza has a match under her belt, it would not be a surprise to see the Spaniard continue to improve, which does not bode well for Pironkova.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Caty McNally vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Tracey:
Anyone who watched Alexandrova’s performance against the returning Kim Clijsters knows the Russian’s capabilities. Power, placement and down-the-line winners dashed Clijsters’ hopes for a deep run in New York. There’s little doubt she’s dash McNally’s hopes as well. There are just too many weapons in the Russian’s arsenal.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Yesh:
Clijsters ran out of gas late Tuesday night, but McNally won’t. The young American has her ups and downs, but when her game is on she can hit just about anyone off the court. Expect a good match and an upset here.
Prediction: McNally in 3
Jim:
Alexandrova was given a real test by an inspired Kim Clijsters, but managed to come through it a 3-6 7-5 6-1 winner. She may be pushed hard again by McNally, who banished the memories of what had been an awful summer to beat Victoria Kuzmova comprehensively. However, Alexandrova is significantly more experienced than the American and ranked far above her for a reason.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Johanna Konta vs Sorana Cirstea
Tracey:
In what has been a lackluster year for the Romanian, Cirstea sees herself into the second round. Perhaps there’s not a worse opponent for her to draw – an in-form Konta awaits. In two meetings, Cirstea has yet to take a set off the Brit. Granted, those matches played out on the clay and on grass. Yet, the British #1 thrives on the fast New York courts.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Yesh:
Maybe I have an issue that I consistently underestimate Cirstea, but I really can’t see her having much success against Konta here. The Brit is a better player and in better form.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Jim:
After an excellent week at the Western & Southern Open, Konta continued her fine form, beating her compatriot Heather Watson 7-6 6-1. Cirstea, meanwhile, recaptured some former glories with a straight-sets win over Christina McHale, who had impressed last week at the Western and Southern Open. But Konta marks a real step up in the quality of her opposition, one that seems likely to prove too great for the Romanian.
Prediction: Konta in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
