Day 5 at the US Open will see eight women’s third-round matches, including Serena Williams’ next attempt to keep her career going. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on all the matches–split between this and a separate article. Predicting today’s matches are Shane Black, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith.
US Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Bianca Andreescu vs Caroline Garcia
Shane:
Bianca Andreescu and Caroline Garcia looked dominant in their straight-set round two victories. Garcia bested Andreescu 6-7 6-4 6-4 earlier this year in Hamburg and these two should once again produce a very high quality match. I think the Frenchwoman, who came out of the qualies to win Cincinnati, notches her 11th win in a row and advances to round four in Queens.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Damian:
What a matchup. Caroline Garcia has been on fire recently and you just know she’ll be blasting these returns and taking time away from Bianca Andreescu like no other. The Frenchwoman has just one game plan but when it’s working, she’s nearly impossible to stop.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Jim:
Andreescu has really impressed so far at the US Open. But facing Garcia is a massive step up in the quality of opposition with the Frenchwoman in such good form. Expect the Cincinnati champion to prove too strong.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Alison Riske-Amritraj vs Xiyu Wang
Shane:
Both Alison Riske-Amritraj and Xiyu Wang won three-set battles in Round 2. Wang took out #3 seed Maria Sakkari for the biggest victory of her young career. I do, however, believe her run stops here. The American has had some solid hard-court wins this season and will be helped by the fast surface in New York.
Prediction: Riske-Amritraj in 2
Damian:
Xiyu Wang has really picked her game up during the US Open Series and she’s got some serious potential. It will be hard to repeat her performance from the second round though, such an emotional high is often followed by a low. Alison Riske seems more likely to perform.
Prediction: Riske-Amritraj in 3
Jim:
Riske-Amritraj will have the home crowd behind her and should have enough guile to outfox Wang. The Chinese is a fine player with a bright future ahead of her, but Riske-Amritraj is the better player in the here and now.
Prediction: Riske-Amritraj in 2
Rebecca Marino vs Shuai Zhang
Shane:
Veterans Rebecca Marino and Shuai Zhang will square off for the first time looking for their first respective spot in the fourth round at the US Open. Both have yet to drop a set this week and are feeling very confident in their games. Not much separates these two, but I give the slight edge to Zhang who has shown a stronger history in Grand Slams and came into New York holding better summer form.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Damian:
Rebecca Marino’s power can be deadly on these courts and she’s looked very fine this week. Shuai Zhang’s flatter strokes keep the ball low though and will force the tall Canadian to bend the knees, which she’s not exactly fond of. Zhang has the skillset to keep her from finding a comfortable strike zone.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Jim:
Honestly this could go either way. They’re both playing well, but Zhang does have a lot more experience than the Canadian. That might well be the difference.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Serena Williams vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Shane:
If this is the last tournament of Serena Williams’ career, she is sure going out with a bang. Arthur Ashe Stadium was absolutely rocking for Williams’ first and second round matches and will only continue to help aid the six-time champion through the draw. Ajla Tomljanovic has never played in front of a crowd anywhere near as raucous as what Ashe will provide on Friday. The Aussie also did not look very convincing in her round two victory. I believe Williams keeps the dream run going.
Prediction: Williams in 2
Damian:
I’m far from thinking that Serena Williams is winning the whole event, especially as the physical toll will get tougher and tougher to bear. This mix of talent and motivation will not be easy to beat for anyone, though. Ajla Tomljanovic can do it if she serves well and exposes the weaker second delivery, but the shorter points will not test Serena’s fitness that much.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Jim:
If Williams can use the energy of the crowd, and her own desire not to go quietly into the night, as effectively as she did against Kontaveit, she’ll win this match. The only real question is how much she has left in the tank.
Prediction: Williams in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
