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 Karolina Pliskova vs Amanda Anisimova. Predicting these matches are Fraser Learmonth, Damian Kust, and Andrew Watson.
US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Fiona Ferro
Fraser:
This promises to be quite the match. Ferro seems to have rediscovered her best tennis after a dominant win in her first-round match while Swiatek continues to be one of the shining stars of the women’s game. The Pole is yet to find her feet fully on hard courts but improves with every tournament she plays. Likewise, Ferro is more comfortable on clay but her forehand is a real weapon on any surface. Swiatek has more power and greater variety in her game and I think she will find a way to get it done here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Damian:
Swiatek hasn’t been great since Roland Garros, but usually wins against lower-ranked opponents. Her serve should give her a fair advantage over Ferro, who has a fast-paced game and will take the game to Iga from the baseline.
Prediction: Swiatek in 3
Andrew:
Both players have been described as clay court specialists but I think Swiatek in particular has more to her than that. Ferro also has a winning record on hard courts but it’s Swiatek that came out on top in Australia this year and I foresee a repeat performance here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Martina Trevisan
Fraser:
Bencic looked formidable in her first match in New York. The Olympic champion is playing superb tennis at the moment and is capable of beating anyone on the tour when she plays at this level. Trevisan has done well to make it this far, but she is a clay courter for the most part and simply doesn’t have the firepower to live with Bencic on the quick courts of Flushing Meadows.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Damian:
Trevisan’s win over Vandeweghe was more on the opponent than due to her brilliant play. Bencic should be very comfortable in this matchup on a hard court.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Andrew:
The Olympic Gold Medalist is flying at the moment after that unexpected triumph and I think she’ll win this too. Trevisan got a great start in the opening round but Bencic is not going to allow that here.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Fraser:
Pavlyuchenkova has fallen off somewhat since her dream run to the final of the French Open earlier this year. However, she is still an incredibly dangerous opponent when on form and is always capable of stringing together wins at a rapid rate. Schmiedlova is certainly no walkover and has the game to trouble the Russian, but it’s hard to see her coming out on top here.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Damian:
The last few months have seen Pavlyuchenkova play some of the best tennis of her career. She’s got a favorable draw against an opponent whose form barely reminisces her days in the Top 30.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Andrew:
I am backing the Russian to overpower Schmiedlova here. She’s both more talented generally and playing better tennis right now. She should win.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Petra Kvitova vs Kristyna Pliskova
Fraser:
Kvitova should win this battle of left handers comfortably. She looked great in her first match in New York and is due a good run in a Grand Slam this year after mostly underperforming. The Czech is a former finalist here and looks determined to get back there again at this edition of the US Open. Kristyna Pliskova is a good player but sits over 100 ranking points below Kvitova and is out of her depth here.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Damian:
There are question marks regarding Kvitova’s fitness but if she maintains her level from the first round, she should cruise here again. Would have been much tougher against the other Pliskova sister, naturally.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Andrew:
The serving here will be on point and powerful. The problem Pliskova The Lower Ranked has is that her movement will be exposed by better players. Kvitova, when on form, certainly is that and I expect this to be in her favor. There may be a tiebreak but I would be shocked if Kvitova didn’t win the most points and that gives any player a pretty good shot at the victory.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
