The second round of the women’s singles starts on Day 3 of the US Open. As always, we here at LWOT will share our thoughts on all 16 matches for you. We split the matches between four articles, including this one. The other articles feature Iga Swiatek vs Daria Saville, Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva, and Elena Rybakina vs Ajla Tomljanovic. Predicting these matches are Nurein Ahmed, Jordan Reynolds, Jack Edward, and Yesh Ginsburg. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Lin Zhu
Nurein:
Back at the Australian Open, Azarenka needed the full three sets to take down an in-form Zhu Lin. The Chinese player comes into this match with much-needed momentum, and the Belarusian will most likely go the distance again.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jordan:
Zhu did a solid job overcoming clay court specialist Mayar Sherif in round 1. However, I do not envisage Azarenka suffering the same fate. The former US Open finalist looked good in her first match, and her all-round game is far superior to Zhu on a hard court.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Jack:
There are too many folk forgetting about Victoria Azarenka this fortnight. She may have sustained some difficult losses this season but she’s been seriously good at the two majors her game’s suited to this year—a couple of points from a Wimbledon quarterfinal and she made the semifinals in Australia. Lin Zhu is good but I expect the Belarusian to raise her level.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Yesh:
Azarenka is playing well right now and is still one of the most talented players in the world. She now has physical limits that she didn’t in the past, but in early rounds she’s still elite.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Rebeka Masarova
Nurein:
This is such a big opportunity for one of the draw’s two undercards to make the third round. Masarova has a good blend of hard-court tennis. It defies logic that she has recorded her best results on clay prior to this season. But we finally see her potential and what she is capable of at the top level. Will I pick against her after a career-best win over a top-10 seed? No.
Prediction: Masarova in 2
Jordan:
Schmiedlova won a scrappy first round match, but Masarova was far more impressive in her upset of Maria Sakkari. The Greek struggled, but Masarova was excellent in her own right throughout. Schmiedlova will need to raise her level considerably to win here. I don’t think she will.
Prediction: Masarova in 3
Jack:
Rebeka Masarova played well against Maria Sakkari but the Greek was largely responsible for her own demise. This match will likely come down to the wire but the slightly more experienced player, Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, should be able to find the bigger strikes in the bigger moments.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
Yesh:
Schmiedlova can consistently overperform, and I expect big things from her. She might not be world-class or challenge for Slams someday, but she’ll be a strong player and a tough out, especially for those who don’t love hard courts.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 2
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Lauren Davis vs Kaja Juvan
Nurein:
After four straight defeats, Davis snapped that streak with a routine win over Danka Kovinic, but I expect the proactive Juvan to give her a hard time. It has taken the Slovenian a considerable amount of time to get her head in the right frame of mind after dealing with the grief of losing her father last December. Winning four straight matches (three in qualifying) is such a big deal for her, and she could be in with a shout here.
Prediction: Juvan in 3
Jordan:
Davis looked great in her first match. The home favorite’s offensive backhand weapon in particular was devastating at times. Juvan did knock out a seed in the form of Elisabetta Cocciaretto. But on a hard court Davis is much stiffer opposition.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Jack:
If a player is prone to being slightly erratic, expect Lauren Davis to bring out the absolute worst in them. I don’t think Kaja Juvan will be able to put together a steady enough performance to find a way through the American.
Prediction: Davis in 2
Yesh:
Lauren Davis loves the courts of the US Open, and she showed it on Monday. Juvan probably has more talent, and she reversed a bad trend by winning her opening match in New York, but I’ll take Davis on her home courts.
Prediction: Davis in 3
Petra Kvitova vs Caroline Wozniacki
Nurein:
This was such an interesting rivalry in the past decade and Wozniacki actually won their last match at the 2018 WTA Finals in three sets. The Dane has spoken fondly of her comeback, and she’s determined to be the best role model for her kids. I don’t think people have taken this comeback thing seriously, but getting a win over one of the top-performing players this season will rank higher than anything on Wozniacki’s bingo card. Kvitova can have these moments in the match when she is so unsure about her game, but it’s hard to see her throw this one away.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Jordan:
A blockbuster matchup between two Grand Slam winners. Many may feel it is too soon in Wozniacki’s comeback to win a match like this. I disagree. The Dane looked the better of the two in the first round, and the big hitting Czech’s performances have been inconsistent. Wozniacki to make a statement win.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 2
Jack:
I have a funny feeling about this one. The head-to-head is extensive and only marginally in favor of Petra Kvitova, but the conditions have always been unkind to the two-time Wimbledon champ in New York. Caroline Wozniacki’s one big win away from being considered a threat again.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Yesh:
Wozniacki has come back aggressive, and her game is rapidly improving. She might not be back at her pre-retirement form, but her game will give Kvitova fits, and the Czech has never loved the courts in New York anyway.
Prediction: Wozniacki in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
