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
Jasmine Paolini vs Karolina Pliskova
Ilemona
Jasmine Paolini has been the most improved player on tour in the last 8 months and her performances at the biggest tournaments have been consistent enough for her to dispatch the formal two time finalist.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Yesh
Paolini has had an incredible summer, with finals at Wimbledon and the French Open, followed by a doubles Gold Medal at the Olympics. She’s come down to earth a tiny bit since then, and if Pliskova is locked in she can probably blast through Paolini’s all-court defense. Still, Pliskova hasn’t looked that solid in a long while.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Jordan
Paolini’s three-set triumph against Bianca Andreescu was one of the highlights of the first couple of days in the women’s draw. Pliskova is a different matchup, and the Italian will be wary of the Czech’s powerful serve and flat returns. But it is tough to go against the French Open and Wimbledon runner-up’s overall game.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Marie Bouzkova
Ilemona
Marie Bouzkova would be happy for the win after a series of close defeats in her last three matches. A player of Samsonova’s quality would spell a danger of returning to the pattern of those close calls. Samsonova should be inspired to level to the head-to-head.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Yesh
Bouzkova has immense talent but health and circumstances have always gotten in the way. That’s a problem, as Samsonova is playing really well and with much better rhythm this year.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Jordan
Samsonova possesses more firepower than her opponent. However, she has struggled at times this season against strong defensive players like Bouzkova. I think an upset is possible in this one if the Czech redirects the pace of her opponent’s shots as well as she can.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Caroline Dolehide vs Sara Errani
Ilemona
Caroline Dolehide got an emotional win over fellow American Danielle Collins who was playing her final tournament. The win should give her the boost to get another win and progress to the third round.
Prediction: Dolehide in 2
Yesh
Dolehide ended Danielle Collins’ Grand Slam career, and now she gets to go deeper in this event. Errani is still often solid and has moments of brilliance, but Dolehide should be consistent enough to outlast the Italian.
Prediction: Dolehide in 3
Jordan
Both women recovered from a set down in the opening round, Dolehide doing so against Danielle Collins. Errani continues to fight impressively at the age of 37, but getting another win is a tough ask. If Dolehide keeps her composure against her opponent’s loopy shots, she should win.
Prediction: Dolehide in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Sofia Kenin
Ilemona
Jessica Pegula and Sofia Kenin have produced popcorn matches everytime they’ve met with all four of meetings concluding in three sets although the last time they met was in 2021 when both players were in a different places in their respective careers. A completely dialed in Kenin should test Pegula but only just.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Yesh
Kenin is the former Grand Slam champion, but Pegula is the real threat here. Pegula is the most consistent player on Tour right now. And while some of the bigger hitters can blast her off the court, no one else can.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Jordan
This is not the second round either player would have wanted. Although Kenin has endured a pretty awful season, she is still incredibly talented, proving that in her victory against Emma Raducanu in the opening round. Is she ready to raise her level even further to defeat Pegula? Probably not, but the sets are likely to be competitive.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
