The third round starts on Friday, Day 5 at the 2024 US Open. Eight exciting matches means eight women will find themselves moving on to the second week. But which women will it be? As always, our writers share their thoughts on all the matches. We split the eight matches between this and a second article, featuring Coco Gauff vs Elina Svitolina. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Glenys Furness, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 5 Women’s Predictions
Madison Keys vs Elise Mertens
Jordan:
Mertens is adept at mixing up the pace of shots, something that Keys sometimes struggles against. However, I am not sure the Belgian will be able to hold serve regularly enough to cause an upset. She needs a very high first serve percentage to have a chance.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Glenys:
Madison Keys has eased through to the third round. The American is playing well, especially as she had to withdraw from the Canadian Open with an injury. Keys appears to have recovered well and dominated the second sets of each of the previous matches. Elise Mertens second round match was a great build up to this match up. This will be a great match, but home support should see Keys through.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Ilemona:
Elise Mertens registered her first victory in the series when the pair met in Cincinnati last year. Keys was the favorite then as she would be here. Her form and the weariness from that loss should give her the motivation to advance.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Paula Badosa vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Jordan:
Ruse shocked Barbora Krejcikova in the last round. But her playing style does not match well against Badosa. The Spaniard is capable of managing heavy topspin forehands, which is Ruse’s biggest weapon.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Glenys:
Paula Badosa had an easy path to the third round, with both matches being straight sets. Taylor Townsend put up a fight, though, which should help Badosa here. Ruse has plenty of matches under her belt, having come through qualifying. The Romanian took out the eighth seed in the last round. As a qualifier Ruse is dangerous, but could also suffer from “seed bounce.” Tricky match to call but Ruse could pull another surprise.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Ilemona:
Elena-Gabriela Ruse has shown that she can cause significant upsets when she defeated the reigning Wimbledon champion in the second round. Ruse won the only match she has played against Badosa as an underdog in Dubai two years ago. The level of self belief it will take for her to cause another upset isn’t that far fetched. She has the game to go with it as well.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Donna Vekic vs Peyton Stearns
Jordan:
Vekic is enjoying a career-best season. Yet, I am backing an upset here. Stearns has the balance between defense and attack that is needed against Vekic, and she is coming off a great win against Daria Kasatkina in the last round.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Glenys:
Donna Vekic is the seed in this match up and has not lost a set yet. The Croatian took a while to get into her stride last round, but ended up dominating the second set. Stearns has also managed straight set wins, however, the American dominated the first sets, but then had to fight hard to win the second. Although the home crowd should be behind the American, Vekic should prevail here.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Ilemona:
Peyton Stearns has followed her week in Cleveland up with a couple of straight sets wins here at the Open. Vekic, for her part, has been efficient. If this match goes long, as I suspect it would, I back Vekic to have the legs to seal the win.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Jordan:
Alexandrova must play much better than the last round against Iva Jovic to compete against Sabalenka. She needed seven match points to narrowly overcome the teenager in the third set. Her style of powerful hitting is not as potent as Sabalenka’s, meaning the Belarusian should progress comfortably.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Glenys:
Aryna Sabalenka has eased through in straight sets so far to reach this stage of the final Grand Slam of the year. Coming in with a title in Cincinnati has been a boost for the Belarussian. Alexandrova has needed three set matches to set up the tie with the second seed. A semifinal in Monterrey before the Open was a good run in, however the long matches will have taken it out of her.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Ilemona:
All six matches between these two players at all levels in the past concluded in straight sets. Alexandrova has been gritty through the first two rounds, needing three sets on both occasions. That level would not cause too much of a dent in Sabalenka’s armor.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
