After a thrilling week or so of tennis, just eight women are still in contention at the US Open. On day nine in New York, that number will be whittled down further. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both quarterfinals, as well as the quarterfinal action in the men’s draw. But who will book their place in the semifinals?
US Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Emma Navarro vs Paula Badosa
Jordan: Paula Badosa’s consistency will be tested to the limit against the rock-solid Emma Navarro. The Spaniard possesses more firepower, but she needs to be patient and use it at the right moments. Although Navarro will undoubtedly make it tough, Badosa’s ability to attack the American’s serve and how well equipped she is to deal with Navarro’s heavy topspin forehand makes me convinced she will reach the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Ismael: Navarro knocked out Gauff for the second Slam in a row, displaying rock-solid tennis. Badosa is enjoying an amazing career resurgence and is back in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the second time in her career after surviving a scare against Ruse. This one could go either way, but I’ll say the American narrowly avenges her defeat in Rome with the help of a noisy crowd and the most stable brand of tennis out of the pair.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Tope: Two standout players compete for a place in the last four at the US Open for the first time in their careers and it’s a shame that one of them has to exit. Apart from her surprising blip against Elena Ruse, Badosa has simply ran over her opponents. While it won’t be the case against an equally capable New Yorker, I think she is more refreshed than Navarro who has gone the whole hog in her last two matches.
Prediction: Badosa in 3
Ateet: It was a great win from both players in the fourth round to set up this match. Navarro is having her best season while Badosa has regained her best form after it looked unlikely. This is a huge match for both players as the winner will reach their first semifinals at a Slam. The Spaniard is playing more aggressive tennis and the American’s court-craft and hard-wired consistency makes her dangerous. Both players will think it’s their moment but I’ll go with Navarro in a close three-setter.
Prediction: Navarro in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Zheng Qinwen
Jordan: Zheng Qinwen has a chance of upsetting Aryna Sabalenka if her level is the same as the previous round against Donna Vekic, which was the best highest-quality women’s match of the tournament so far. Sabalenka also produced her best performance of the tournament in the last round. The world #2’s more powerful forehand might be the difference between the two players, but an upset is possible in this matchup, especially if Zheng serves well.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Ismael: Zheng is on a roll, winning nine out of her last ten matches, including the Olympics. But she has had to fight to get to this stage at the US Open, and has yet to reach a level on hard courts where I could pick her to upset Sabalenka. The Belarusian beat her both here last year and in the Australian Open final in January, conceding only five games in each match. Zheng makes it tighter this time but loses in two close sets.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Tope: Everything points to a Sabalenka win here. Apart from two dominant wins over Zheng in their previous encounters (both on hard courts), 11 of her last 12 wins have been in straight sets with Ekaterina Alexandrova the only player to have taken a set off her in New York and in her last nine matches. The Chinese has been solid but she’s only managed to keep a clean sheet once all through the tournament. Confident to back Sabalenka in this one.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Ateet: This is a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final where Zheng had no chance against a peaking Sabalenka. These two also played in last year’s US Open quarterfinals; the result was the same for Zheng. However, the Chinese star is more confident at this stage of her career and has won a lot of important matches in the last couple of months. Sabalenka has had an easier time on court in her four matches at the US Open but this will be her toughest test. I think Zheng will put up a better fight this time but Sabalenka should prevail.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
