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 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
Sorana Cirstea vs Anna Kalinskaya
Nurein:
Not many people fancied Anna Kalinskaya to navigate a tough opening match against Katerina Siniakova, particularly after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. But she reminded us what a massive talent she is when healthy. Cirstea faded in the lead-up to the US Open, but she had such hard luck with the draws in all three tournaments pre-US Open. It will be some relief to experience a change playing back-to-back matches as the higher-ranked player. I’ll give her the edge, but it will be close.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Jordan:
Cirstea is one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour, having made the third round of a Grand Slam close to 20 times. Kalinskaya is seeking a first appearance in a third round. Her excellent performance against Katerina Siniaková provides much hope. But I find it hard not to back a player who has got it done at this stage so many times in the past.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Jack:
Anna Kalinskaya has hit the ground running for her first tournament back in three months. There likely won’t be much to separate her and world #30 Sorana Cirstea. I’ll give the latter the slight edge, however, given some of the scalps Cirstea’s put together this year.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Yesh:
Kalinskaya did well to knock off Siniakova in the opening round, and she has another winnable match in the second. Cirstea is a solid player and can impress when she peaks, but she never quite reached her full potential. I won’t be surprised to see Kalinskaya pull off another upset.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Belinda Bencic vs Yuriko Miyazaki
Nurein:
At 27, Miyazaki won her first Grand Slam main draw match, beating an out-of-sorts Margarita Betova who is still winless this year. But the Brit will be given a welcome to the big leagues here. Bencic is one of the world’s best players and that will be reflected in the result of this match.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Jordan:
Miyazaki did impress during her first ever Grand Slam win. However, her opponent in that encounter was well below par. Former US Open semifinalist Bencic is an entirely different prospect. The Swiss to win in the conditions that suit her game the best.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Jack:
Lily Miyazaki is as steady as they come but doesn’t produce masses of power. She’s done exceptionally well to take out the opponents she has with her style of play but this as far as she is likely to get. Belinda Bencic isn’t as volatile as some of the other seeds in the draw and she’s always played well in New York.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Yesh:
Miyazaki was impressive and earned a big win in the opening round, but the streak ends here. Bencic is just too good. This likely won’t be close.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
[cta id=4013 type=cta]
Taylor Townsend vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Nurein:
It’s still early days, but quality-wise Haddad Maia’s three-set win over Sloane Stephens is the best match of this year’s tournament, especially that second set. I loved every bit of the Brazilian’s resilience and she’s massively underrated on hard courts. Townsend is no stranger to upsetting the odds, but after such a massive win over a former US Open champion, I can’t see Haddad Maia taking her eyes off the ball.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Jordan:
Townsend registered a first win at Flushing Meadows since her run to the fourth round in 2019. Haddad Maia won a dramatic match against another American Sloane Stephens. This may be tighter than some think, as I have a feeling Townsend could be inspired in front of her home crowd. Haddad Maia to win another close contest.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Jack:
The tour is brutal. Taylor Townsend has won three of her eight Top 50 meetings this year (including a win over Jessica Pegula), pushed her opponent to a decider in three of those losses, but remains ranked outside the Top 100. She’s playing above her ranking—rallied by the crowd, I actually think Townsend has the peak to find a way through Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Yesh:
Haddad Maia broke through to the big leagues last year. And while she hasn’t quite been perfect in Majors, she’s still supremely talented and playing like a top player. Expect her to move on.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Daria Saville
Nurein:
Swiatek produced an emphatic opening statement to her title defense, putting everyone on notice she’s here for the long haul. Saville was equally brilliant in her first-round win, as she eased past the inexperienced wild card Clervie Ngounoue. It’s nice to Saville putting together a decent spell fitness-wise, and I think she’ll win a few more games than Peterson, but she doesn’t have an obvious weapon to hurt Swiatek.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jordan:
Swiatek looked ominously good in the first round. But Saville was also superb in her win, dropping just two games. I may have backed the Australian for a good run if the draw was friendlier. But she will not stop the World #1.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jack:
Does Daria Saville have an exceptional weapon from the ground? Is she one of the best servers of her generation? One of the best returners of her generation? The answer to at least one of these had to be yes for Saville to be in with a real shot here. Maybe Iga Swiatek will be nervy but it’s highly unlikely after the start she’s made.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
Swiatek looks in dominant form. There are few players in the draw who can challenge her, let alone come close to winning. Daria Saville isn’t one of them.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
