Day 4 of the US Open means the second round is finishing. There are 16 matches on Thursday, and we’re here to predict all of them. Who will move on to the third round? In addition to this set of predictions, we also have three more groups. One features Serena Williams vs Margarita Gasparyan, the next headlines Johanna Konta vs Sorana Cirstea, and the final group features Victoria Azarenka vs Aryna Sabalenka. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Damian Kust, and myself (Yesh Ginsburg).
US Open Day 4 Predictions
Iga Swiatek vs Sachia Vickery
Tracey:
Iga Swiatek has the variety, shot-making and strategic thinking which should prove difficult for Sachia Vickery. The American boasts a strong baseline game, which is spot where she plays her best. Expect the 19-year-old Pole to force Vickery into uncomfortable positions. And, any counter-strategy Vickery can think up will only be met by the cerebral shift from Swiatek.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Yesh:
I’d be tempted to take the American in an upset here, but Vickery has yet to reach her full potential. Add that to the lack of a crowd and Swiatek’s stellar form in the first round, and I have to go with the Pole.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Damian:
There were doubts when it came to the Pole’s form coming into the US Open but her first-round dismissal of Veronika Kudermetova was really world-class. Swiatek’s form can be very mercurial but she is a much more talented player than Vickery and should be able to power through to the third round.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Patricia Maria Tig vs Donna Vekic
Tracey:
While Vekic hasn’t been performing to the level of which she’s capable, it should be more than enough to send Patricia Maria Tig packing. The Croat had a tough test against Pliskova, dropping the second set in a 6-8 tiebreak. If the #18 seed can up her first serve percentage, she’ll avoid a lengthy outing.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Yesh:
Tig looked amazing in her first round match, but she played well above her talent level. Vekic, meanwhile, is one of the best players in the world, and she should cruise.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Damian:
The Croat did well to survive a thriller against the lower-ranked of the Pliskova sisters, as Kristyna couldn’t serve out the match. Patricia Maria Tig should be a pretty big step down in the level of competition and I’m sure Vekic would like that after such a tough opener. Tig destroyed Kurumi Nara in just one hour in the first round but it appears to be more of a one-off than any sign of a career-best form.
Prediction: Vekic in 2
Elise Mertens vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Tracey:
Mertens’ commanding win over Laura Siegemund convinces me that she’ll be sticking around for the second week. In less than 90 minutes, the #16 seed chalked up a 6-2 6-2 win. Mertens’ defense really made the difference, saving all nine break points against the German. It will take quite a bit to defeat the Belgian–a lot more than Sorribes Tormo has.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Yesh:
Elise Mertens is not quite at her top level that she showcased in recent years, but she’s still a top player. Facing off against Sorribes Tormo, who would much rather play on clay than hard court, is an easy draw for her.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Damian:
Sorribes Tormo plays her best tennis on clay and advanced here courtesy of a good draw. The luck is over though as she’ll take on Elise Mertens, who’s been playing some excellent tennis after the restart. It would be quite a surprise if Sorribes Tormo even took it to three sets.
Prediction: Mertens in 2
Amanda Anisimova vs Katrina Scott
Tracey:
Thanks to late withdrawals, Katrina Scott received a wild card into the US Open. No doubt the 16-year-old made the most of her opportunity, upsetting Vikhlyantseva for a second round berth. Defeating her compatriot Amanda Anisimova might be beyond her grasp. But, you can expect some great moments from Scott before she falls in straight sets.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Yesh:
Scott is trying to become the next Anisimova–an American teenage breakout. Still, just watching them play it’s hard to think that Scott currently has the game to challenge the (barely) older American.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Damian:
The 16-year-old Scott was one of the big surprises of the first round, defeating a much-more experienced Natalia Vikhtlyantseva. Anisimova has just turned 19 herself but has incomparably more experience at this level of competition. This might be the beginning of a great career and rise to the top for Scott, but Anisimova is already there.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
