Wednesday marks the beginning of the second round of the US Open. We cut the field from 128 to 64 in two days, and we’ll be down to 32 in another two. From this point on, we here at LWOT will be predicting every match. Who will win on Day 3? Let’s look at the matches. This group of predictions contains four matches. For Wednesday’s 16 matches, we have three more groups. One features Kirsten Flipkens vs Jessica Pegula, the next headlines Madison Brengle vs Dayana Yastremska, and the final group features Naomi Osaka vs Camila Giorgi. Predicting this set of matches are Jim Smith, Andrew Watson, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Kateryna Kozlova
Jim:
The US Open has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Kvitova. But the quicker courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this year should suit her aggressive approach and she looked assured in beating Irina-Camelia Begu. Expect her to overpower Kozlova.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Andrew:
Kvitová recovered much of her confidence and composure against Begu in the opening round. It was a definite success in what looked a tricky match. The Ukrainian was made to work harder by Whitney Osuigwe, but also won in straight sets. Kvitová should be able to make fairly quick work of Kozlova as long as her level remains consistent.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Yesh:
Kvitova was untroubled in her opening match against Begu, while Kozlova struggled a bit against Whitney Osuigwe. Osuigwe might be a future American star, but she’s nowhere near there yet, and if you can’t beat her easily you can’t have with Kvitova.
Prediction: Kvitova in 2
Petra Martic vs Kateryna Bondarenko
Jim:
Martic has been in indifferent form since the season resumed, with her best effort so far a semifinal showing in Palermo. But she has been handed a relatively favourable draw at the US Open. Nonetheless, it would be a real surprise to see her reach the business end of the tournament with the conditions not really suiting her patient approach. But she should still have enough to get past the veteran Bondarenko.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Andrew:
It was a nervy match for the Croatian eighth seed against Tereza Martincova. After losing the first set Martic also found herself down 3-1 in the third but recovered well to win through. Bondarenko herself required three sets to see of Allie Kiick but did so rather more convincingly. Martic certainly seemed to be very determined and played some good match-play tennis in her win to scrap it out so Bondarenko may find it tough to get over the line here.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Yesh:
Martic is an excellent player who hasn’t quite kept it together since her tremendous run at last year’s French Open. Still, she’s the better player in this match, which should see her through to the third round.
Prediction: Martic in 2
Marta Kostyuk vs Anastasija Sevastova
Jim:
Kostyuk scored what seems certain to be the first of many wins at the US Open with a comprehensive 6-1 6-2 win over a listless Daria Kasatkina. But Sevastova will surely offer rather more resistance. The Latvian has a fine record at the US Open, where she reached the semifinals in 2018. This looks likely to be a close contest, but Sevastova’s greater experience should give her the edge.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Andrew:
The young Ukrainian certainly confirmed her talent in the opening round as she destroyed former top 20 player Daria Kasatkina. Kasatkina was able to win only 14 points on her own serve as Kostyuk tucked into the buffet on offer. Sevastova, though, was busy dousing the dreams of many by knocking out the teenager Cori Gauff over three sets. The Latvian seems to enjoy the conditions at Flushing Meadows having reached the quarterfinals twice and semi-finals in the past four years. This match will probably go three sets and the Latvian may well edge the third with her experience and strong matchplay.
Prediction: Sevastova in 3
Yesh:
Don’t be fooled by Kostyuk’s opening match. That was far from the best Kasatkina, and the lopsided scoreline makes Kostyuk look more impressive than she was. Sevastova’s win over Coco Gauff? Now that was impressive.
Prediction: Sevastova in 2
CiCi Bellis vs Jennifer Brady
Jim:
Brady is one to watch at this year’s US Open after what has been an excellent summer, barring a disappointing first-round loss at the Western & Southern Open. Bellis, meanwhile, looks to be back on the path to the top after a long struggle against injuries. But whilst the future may be bright for the younger woman, it would be some win if she could get the better of Brady.
Prediction: Brady in 2
Andrew:
This could be a very good match indeed. Both players have strong mentalities and are not afraid to battle hard on the court to get the result. Brady has improved a lot this season and deserves favouritism but Bellis is beginning to look good again after her traumatic few years since her breakthrough. Brady may just about edge this contest through having more power on her key shots but nothing would be a surprise here.
Prediction: Brady in 3
Yesh:
Brady looks to be in the best form of her career, but so does Bellis. This is a tough one to call because while Brady is a bit better right now, Bellis definitely has the higher upside, and she seems to be rapidly reaching it.
Prediction: Bellis in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
