Day 6 at the US Open sees the end of the third round. Who will advance to the Round of 16? As always, our writers share their thoughts on all of the matches with you. We split the day’s eight matches between this and another article. Predicting today’s matches are Jakub Bobro, Jack Edward, and Johnny Connell. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 6 Women’s Predictions
Jessica Pegula vs Yue Yuan
Jakub:
After a gutting doubles loss alongside Coco Gauff, Pegula will be looking to bounce back and make it past the third round at the US Open for the first time in her career. Yuan has done very well, qualifying and making it here without dropping a set. The American is the clear favorite but it will be interesting to see Yuan on this stage.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jack:
Jessie Pegula is looking like the woman to beat this fortnight; her first two rounds going straightforwardly against tough opposition. Yue Yuan has surprised all week however having dropped zero sets in three qualifying and two main draw matches. Yuan might pose a threat in bursts but Pegula should have enough in the tank to get through in two.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Johnny:
Jessica Pegula continues to fly under the radar. The American number 1 is one of the most consistent and reliable players on tour and should be solid enough to get the better of Chinese qualifier Yue Yuan. Pegula is an excellent counterpuncher, the type of skill that will come in handy in these conditions against a player like Yuan. The Chinese player has already exceeded expectations this tournament; this is where it comes to an end.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Karolina Pliskova
Jakub:
A very interesting and even match-up here. Pliskova looks in-form after dispatching Marie Bouzkova in the second round while Bencic had to launch a comeback from 3-6 3-5 down against Sorana Cirstea after sending Andrea Petkovic off to retirement in her opener. Bencic has won their only previous meeting at Indian Wells back in 2019 but I am leaning toward Pliskova here on current form.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Jack:
The third-round match of the day? Karolina Pliskova is in fine fettle–Bouzkova was fairly fortunate to walk away with five games as she struggled to keep up with her compatriot’s great serving. Assuming Belinda Bencic is also playing close to her best judging by her hardy win over Cirstea, it’ll go three for sure. I’ll back Bencic to take advantage of a few missed first-serves better than Bouzkova did.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Johnny:
Belinda Bencic hasn’t been at her best through the first couple of matches but fought past Andrea Petkovic and Marta Kostyuk in three sets. I think things will click for Bencic soon, probably in this matchup with Karolina Pliskova. I like Bencic in this matchup, she has the game to counteract the strengths of Pliskova, especially on a relatively quick hard court. I see Bencic as the better player and expect her to step up here.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Clara Burel
Jakub:
Speaking of comebacks, Sabalenka had an impossibly impressive one, coming back from 2-6 1-5 down to Kaia Kanepi, saving two match points. Burel has been quietly deadly, taking out Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Alison Van Uytvanck in the first two rounds. Sabalenka is a solid favorite here but everyone knows she can win and lose to anyone on her day.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Jack:
It’s been a rough year for Aryna Sabalenka. Her win over Kaia Kanepi was a hard-fought one but that doesn’t mean her season is necessarily back on track. The troughs continue to outnumber the peaks and Clara Burel has shown us she is up to the challenge this fortnight.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Johnny:
Aryna Sabalenka produced a miracle comeback over Kaia Kanepi in the previous round, fighting from 2-6 1-5 down, saving a pair of match points in the process. A lucky break for Sabalenka who should be out of the tournament, perhaps she will roll with that luck. Meanwhile, Clara Burel is having her best run at this level having come through qualifying, she played a streaky match of her own in the previous round against Alison Van UYtvanck where she won in three sets. Sabalenka is clearly more experienced and more accomplished, but she continues to be less than convincing. Burel should have her chances–she has nothing to lose, and I think she has the game to pull off the upset is Sabalenka continues to struggle on serve.
Prediction: Burel in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Lauren Davis
Jakub:
The World No. 1 has looked very solid to start her US Open, dropping just eight games in the first two matches, including a win over Sloane Stephens. Davis deserves credit for making the third round at the US Open for the first time in her career, making her tenth appearance this year, but this is where her run ends.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jack:
Whilst Lauren Davis is no pushover, Iga Swiatek will have drawn a sigh of relief to see her come through the draw. The flat strikes of Ekaterina Alexandrova would have been more of a worry than the caressed angles of Davis. Swiatek plays a better version of Davis’s game.
Prediction: Świątek in 2
Johnny:
Swiatek has cruised through the first couple of matches, somewhat putting to rest the slight question mark surrounding her form. Conversely, Davis has exceeded expectations with a couple of extremely hard fought three-set wins over Lucia Bronzetti and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Davis is basically a significantly inferior version of Swiatek, I see no reason why Swiatek won’t win this matchup very comfortably.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
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