US Open action is back on Day 4 with 16 women’s second-round matches. With some of the top players in the world taking the court, these matches will surely deliver fireworks. As always, we at LWOT have our roundtable predictions for every match on the slate. Ilemona Onekutu, Yesh Ginsburg, and Jordan Reynolds provide their insights. Who will advance to the third round?
US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Jessika Ponchet
Ilemona
The world no. 4 Elena Rybakina needed a tiebreak in the second set to overcome her round one opponent. She should have no problem imposing her quality here as well.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Yesh
Rybakina looked vulnerable at moments in the second set last match, but overall she was dominant. That spells bad news for everyone but the top players.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Jordan
Rybakina will need to get to used to Ponchet’s old-school style of tennis in this one. The Frenchwoman’s biggest issue is she does not return particularly well. That makes overcoming Rybakina very tough.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Ana Kalinskaya vs Anna Bondar
Ilemona
Anna Bondar can be dangerous on her day as Bernarda found out in the first round. She takes on the world no. 15 in Ana Kalinskaya who she should be able to test with her game but Kalinskaya has the weapons to hang better in the contest.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Yesh
Kalinskaya is criminally underrated, mostly due to her tendency to lose matches she shouldn’t. Still, I think she’s better than Bondar, which should matter here.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Jordan
This is not a complicated matchup. Bondar is a great competitor but she does nothing better than her opponent. The quickly-improving Kalinskaya to prevail comfortably.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 2
Yulia Putinsteva vs Xinyu Wang
Ilemona
Not a lot separating these two players right now. Putinsteva got a statement win against Linda Noskova but Wang has three wins against Putinsteva, all coming within the last 12 months. She should be confident in her ability to repeat same here.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Yesh
Yulia Putintseva is so hard to figure out right now. She’s doing things like upsetting Swiatek, but also losing matches to much weaker players. I think Xinyu Wang can handle her unconventional game, which means she might lose here.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Jordan
Wang will need to produce the kind of hitting that saw her beat Jessica Pegula at Wimbledon. Putintseva, who is having a career-best season, is one of the best defensive players in the game. I doubt Wang can stay consistent enough against her over three sets.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Ashlyn Krueger
Ilemona
Ashlyn Krueger got off to a slow start, losing the first set in a bagel with her opponent creating 13 break point chances on her serve overall. Anything close to that level and she would not have a fighting chance here even with the crowd behind her.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Yesh
The Andreeva phenomenon is taking over the main tour, and her results are rapidly starting to improve. She’s beating players she should, now, which means she’s going to go far.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Jordan
Andreeva started solidly against Camila Osorio. The teenager has not been spoken about as one of the major favourites in New York, but she could go far if her game clicks. Krueger’s power makes her dangerous but Andreeva usually plays well against players who give her pace.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
