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 Petra Kvitova vs Caroline Wozniacki, Coco Gauff vs Mirra Andreeva, and Iga Swiatek vs Daria Saville. Predicting these matches are Nurein Ahmed, Jordan Reynolds, Jack Edward, and Shane Black. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Danielle Collins
Nurein:
The appointment of Jared Jacobs has completely revitalized Danielle Collins, and she always thrives on home territory. She’s got her mojo back and I can’t see Mertens being too much of an obstacle.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Jordan:
Home favorite Collins can challenge anyone when her game is firing. It was in the first round, Where she demolished Linda Fruhvirtova. Could this be the tournament where Collins returns to her 2022 Australian Open form? I certainly expect her to take another step against Mertens.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Jack:
How terrified of Danielle Collins should we be? The American was fantastic in Montreal and Cincinnati, only being defeated by the World #1 on both occasions. Elise Mertens has a great base level but Collins has the game to seriously take it to the Belgian.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Shane:
Danielle Collins dispatched Linda Fruhvirtova in Round 1 and has played with confidence this summer. Mertens, on the other hand, is just 3-6 in her last nine matches. Collins’ power is finding its marks, and she will be able to bully Mertens around the court.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Bernarda Pera vs Xiyu Wang
Nurein:
Bernarda Pera accounted for a big shock on day one, beating 16th seed Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets, setting up a fascinating battle against fellow lefty Xiyu Wang. I’ll go with the experience of Pera to edge this one whose confidence will be at an all-time high.
Prediction: Pera in 3
Jordan:
Pera is usually most comfortable on clay, but found hard court inspiration to beat 16th seed Veronika Kudermetova. Wang, on the other hand, won an epic contest in a final set tiebreak to win. Although Pera was excellent in round 1, I feel Wang’s style can rush Pera on a hard court effectively. The Chinese player to win.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Jack:
What a great opportunity for both players. Xiyu Wang is the more comfortable of the two players on a hard court—I fancy her chances of taking the chance to reach the second Grand Slam third round of her career.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Shane:
Pera has not had a strong summer. The 28-year-old American is just 3-8 since mid-June. Xiyu Wang has been equally inconsistent this summer. I give the slight edge to Pera, backed by the home crowd.
Prediction: Pera in 3
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Karolina Muchova vs Magdalena Frech
Nurein:
Muchova won her first match at the US Open since 2020, and talk of the Czech being a potential contender this fortnight will start getting some traction if she can navigate her way into the second week. Frech survived a scrap in her own first-round match, beating the much-fancied Emma Navarro in three sets. Muchova’s array of shots should keep this match out of Frech’s reach.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jordan:
Muchova’s opening round performance inspired confidence of a deep run in New York being possible. She is very likely to be too good for Frech. Muchova’s varied style is exactly the type that a player like Frech struggles with most. I do not see her overcoming those difficulties.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Jack:
Karolina Muchova is one of the few players that you can absolutely rely on to bring a great base level into every match. Magdalena Frech doesn’t have the peak to match the Czech, who seems to be in good enough health to get the job done relatively comfortably here.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Shane:
No. 10 seed Karolina Muchova has had a terrific season, holding a 17-5 hardcourt record since March. Frech has been a bit too inconsistent this season for me to expect her to match the baseline consistency of Muchova.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Nurein:
People questioned whether Rybakina might be playing with a dodgy shoulder injury in her opening match. But the Kazakh allayed those fears and recorded a fantastic win against a dangerous unseeded opponent. Tomljanovic will be playing in her second match since recovering from injuries, and any wins from here can only be a bonus. It would take something of a catastrophe for the Kazakh to lose this.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jordan:
Tomljanović winning her first match back after a long layoff was highly impressive. But her opponent Panna Udvardy is with all due respect not in the same league as Rybakina. The 2022 Wimbledon champion made a very strong start in her first match. She will have too much firepower for the Australian.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jack:
Make no mistake—Elena Rybakina is still in the conversation every single Grand Slam she plays. There have been a few injury concerns but those were dispelled in a first round dismissal of Marta Kostyuk. Ajla Tomljanovic is a test but she should make it through.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Shane:
Rybakina has been utterly dominant this year, especially on hard courts (26-7). Tomljanovic will not have the baseline consistency to hang in what is just her second match of the year.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
