Day 4 of the US Open will see the second half of the second round. 16 women’s matches will determine Saturday’s third-round participants. Who do you think will move on? As always, our writers share their thoughts on all of the matches. In addition to this article, we split the other matches between three other articles. One features Bianca Andreescu vs Lauren Davis, the second highlights Ashleigh Barty vs Clara Tauson, and the third features Petra Kvitova vs Kristyna Pliskova. Predicting these matches are Fraser Learmonth, Damian Kust, and Andrew Watson.
US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Su-wei Hsieh vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Fraser:
Sorribes Tormo is the sensible pick here. She came through a tough test against Muchova on Tuesday relatively comfortably. She also has the defense required to handle the awkwardness of Hsieh’s game. The Chinese Taipei star was good in her first match of this tournament, but not good enough for me to pick her over one of the in-form women of the year.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 2
Damian:
What a fun matchup. Sorribes Tormo is having a great season but she likes baseline rhythm, which barely exists in Hsieh’s matches due to her variety and unique strokes.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Andrew:
The Spaniard produced a great performance to see off Karolina Muchova in the last round. Hsieh, as always, is a very tricky match for any player, especially so in this H2H as she leads it 3-0. However the last encounter was in January 2019 and Sorribes Tormo has halved her ranking since then. She is a much improved player. I think she will overturn those previous matches.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Shelby Rogers vs Sorana Cirstea
Fraser:
This one is tough to call. Rogers probably plays near her best more consistently than Cirstea, but the Romanian’s best tennis is hard to match. She is also in great form this year after lifting her first title in over a decade earlier this year. Rogers has the advantage of home fans and that may well pay dividends and carry her over the line, but it will be tight either way.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Damian:
Very tight call. Rogers often overperforms at the Grand Slams, and perhaps this could be another one of these instances. She won their only head-to-head meeting, but on clay five years ago, so it probably doesn’t mean much regarding this one.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Andrew:
Really tough to pick a winner here. Only played once before, but on clay in 2016, so Rogers’ win means little. The players are closely matched in ranking and on the win-loss record on hard over the last two years. The difference may be the crowd, Rogers has played well at home in the past and some of her previous form may have been affected by her recent injury. I will back the American here.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Paula Badosa vs Varvara Gracheva
Fraser:
Badosa’s dream year continues on in America. The Spaniard has been the breakthrough player on the tour this year and a lack of coach has done little to slow her charge up the rankings. Another winnable match here means she can take a step closer to the second week of yet another Grand Slam this year. I think she takes that step and does so pretty comfortably.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Damian:
Gracheva took this one at last year’s US Open, but their careers have followed polarizing trajectories since then. Badosa is definitely in the ascendance right now, and should be able to take revenge.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Andrew:
The Russian has blown hot and cold recently, which is not a huge surprise when you watch her game. It can be a little all or nothing at times. Badosa is another that can go for the lines at times but I suspect here she will stay solid and that will be enough for the win.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Amanda Anisimova
Fraser:
Pliskova looked dangerous in her match against McNally on Tuesday. She struck the ball incredibly cleanly all match and served up a clinic to boot. If she keeps that level up she will be dismantling another young American star in Anisimova come Thursday. Anisimova has struggled to find her best tennis over the last year or so and anything but her best won’t be enough to stop the Pliskova wrecking ball here.
Predicition: Pliskova in 2
Damian:
Anisimova is a huge talent, and pushed Pliskova fairly close at Montreal. It’s a dangerous matchup, but the Czech’s consistency of results since Wimbledon makes me confident she’s got this.
Predicition: Pliskova in 3
Andrew:
The American doesn’t do well against big servers generally and they don’t come that much bigger than Pliskova. The Czech has rediscovered some really good form in the last few months and she is the clear favourite here, especially if you consider her 3-0 H2H record in this match-up.
Predicition: Pliskova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
