Day 3 of the US Open will feature 16 women’s matches as we begin the second round. As always, we here at LWOT are offering our thoughts on each match. We split Wednesday’s 16 matches between four articles. In addition to this article, the other three feature Barbora Krejcikova vs Christina McHale, Coco Gauff vs Sloane Stephens, and Naomi Osaka vs Olga Danilovic. Who do you think will win. Predicting today’s matches are Fraser Learmonth, Pablo Mosquera, and Jim Smith.
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Kaia Kanepi vs Leylah Fernandez
Fraser:
Fernandez is really starting to hit her straps on the women’s tour. The young Canadian is proving this year that she is more than just a flash in the pan and is rather one of the more promising young talents out there. Kanepi is no easy opponent, particularly in big tournaments, but the young lefty should have enough to get through what will be a close match.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Pablo:
This one is interesting. Fernandez has not taken the step forward she seemed primed for last year, while Kanepi has cooled off after a fast start to the 2021 season. The Canadian has found it hard to deal with big hitters, which suggests the match is on Kanepi’s racket. The Estonian picked up a good 2-6 7-6 6-2 victory over No. 31 seed Yulia Putintseva on Monday, but can she summon her top game again? Doubtful.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Jim:
Write off Kaia Kanepi at your own peril. The Estonian has found wins hard to come by all season, but rolled back the years to stun Yulia Putintseva in her opener. She will face a similar challenge up against Leylah Fernandez and with the Canadian hardly in sparkling form, it may well be one she proves equal to.
Prediction: Kanepi in 3
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Kamila Rakhimova
Fraser:
This all-Russian affair should be relatively one-sided if all goes to script. Alexandrova is 100 ranking points above Rakhimova and has a game tailormade for the fast courts in New York. A big serve and flat, aggressive groundstrokes make her a tough out when she is on form and she looked good in her first match. She should move on here too without too much trouble.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Pablo:
After three straight losses, Alexandrova probably appreciated facing Sara Errani to fine tune her high-powered strokes. Meanwhile, Rakhimova continues stuck in the 130-160 ranking purgatory. The 20-year-old got in as a lucky loser and overcame a slow start to upend the out of form Kristina Mladenovic. Still, Alexandrova has an extra gear at the moment.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Jim:
Unsurprisingly, Ekaterina Alexandrova made short work of the veteran Sara Errani, with the Italian a shadow of the player she was at the peak of her powers. Alexandrova’s compatriot Kamila Rakhimova may be more competitive, but this nonetheless looks like a very winnable match for Alexandrova.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Andrea Petkovic vs Garbine Muguruza
Fraser:
Muguruza won’t be happy with her failure to close out sets against Vekic in the last round, particularly given her past trauma in that regard (see her match against Osaka at the Australian Open). Still, her level otherwise was that of a contender for the US Open title this week. If she keeps that up there are very few present in New York who can match her and Petkovic simply isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Pablo:
Muguruza must have done something shady to deserve such a complicated draw. Former quarterfinalist Donna Vekic in the first round is as tough as it can get, then the rejuvenated Petkovic right after, whom she trails 3-0 in their head to head, all on hard. Granted, the latest duel came in 2016, which is close to the Jurassic period in tennis terms. The Spaniard started the 2021 season firing on all cylinders and mild physical issues derailed her positive trajectory. The opposite could be said about Petkovic, who has claimed 14 of her 20 wins since the end of Wimbledon. I’m leaning Muguruza, but it won’t be a walk in the park.
Prediction: Muguruza in 3
Jim:
New York hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Garbine Muguruza, but the Spaniard made a solid start to her US Open campaign this season, battling past former-quarterfinalist Donna Vekic in two tiebreaks. If she maintains that level, this should be a more comfortable day on court for her.
Prediction: Muguruza in 2
Fraser:
Halep made a meal of closing out the second set against Giorgi in her first-round match. However, she can be forgiven that lack of a ruthless edge given how short of matches she is. The Romanian will be happy with her level so far and in particular how well her serve held up in that first match. A simpler second opponent in Kucova gives her a chance to better find her feet and build momentum as she looks to make the second week at Flushing Meadows.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Pablo:
If there’s an ideal time to face Halep at a Major, it has to be now, as the Romanian eases back in to form. That’s what Camila Giorgi thought when the draw was revealed. But Halep turned out to play a rock-solid match and defeated the Montreal champion in straight sets. Do we really think Halep is going to lay an egg against Kucova? The Slovakian did beat the slumping Ann Li in the round of 128, but Halep is a different monster.
Prediction: Halep in 2
Jim:
Simona Halep negotiated a very tough first-round draw in the shape of Camila Giorgi adroitly, beating the Italian 6-4 7-6. She will likely be tested again by Kristina Kucova, who is having a very fine week in New York after coming through the qualifying, but the Romanian should have the edge here.
Prediction: Halep in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
