The third round of the US Open wraps up on Saturday. Who will advance to Monday’s fourth round? We’re here at LWOT to predict every match. We look at four of the matches in this article, and the other four (including Serena Williams vs Sloane Stephens) in a second article. Predicting today’s matches are Jim Smith, Damian Kust, and Andrew Watson.
US Open Day 6 Predictions
Madison Keys vs Alize Cornet
Jim:
It has been an excellent summer for Cornet, who has now reached the third round in both ‘Cincinnati’ and at the US Open. But whilst the Frenchwoman has impressed, it is hard to see her making it to the fourth round. She has lost all three of her previous meetings with Keys and the American has looked imperious thus far in New York. Expect Keys to continue her charge.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Damian:
Keys won all three previous meetings against Cornet, but they haven’t faced each other in four years. The Frenchwoman has been looking great after the restart, scoring a great win over Sofia Kenin in :Cincinnati.” Still, Keys is a former runner-up of this event and absolutely demolished both her opponents so far with her absurdly powerful groundstrokes. Cornet is a step up in competition but there’s not much she will be able to do if Keys is redlining.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Andrew:
The former US Open finalist is starting to look like she’s on a roll again here. It would be a surprise if Cornet had the weapons to stop the American as well. Indeed, Keys has won all three of their previous meetings.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Sorana Cirstea
Jim:
Muchova had the misfortune to run into Naomi Osaka in the second round at the Western & Southern Open, but she received a kinder draw at the US Open and has so far taken full advantage. The quick conditions in New York appear to suit her all-court style of play and she will surely be targeting a deep run as a result. Cirstea has exceeded expectations so far, not least in beating Johanna Konta, but expect her run to come to a halt here.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Damian:
Muchova has been flying under the radar recently but she’s played a lot throughout the pandemic and showed she can go far at a Grand Slam event last year at Wimbledon. Sorana Cirstea made headlines with a stunning upset win over Johanna Konta in the second round here. While the Romanian is no doubt extremely talented as well, Muchova has been consistently the better player of the two throughout the past year or so. She is much more likely to repeat her good previous performances than Cirstea is.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Andrew:
The Romanian will be looking to re-enact the game plan that was so successful against Johanna Konta. Cirstea strikes the ball so cleanly she will be dangerous for the Czech here. However, Muchova possess all the game required to be successful at the US Open and she will be looking to make it a very deep run indeed. Her serve has been very strong indeed and though Cirstea was able to blunt Konta in this regard it will be tough to do it again.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Ons Jabeur
Jim:
Kenin may have stumbled in “Cincinnati,” but she has looked rather more assured so far in New York. That said, she has not yet faced an opponent of Jabeur’s quality, with the Tunisian enjoying the best season of her career, despite a five-month layoff. Kenin, however, is one of the best problem solvers in the women’s game. If she is on her game, expect her to advance, although not without a real battle.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Damian:
The American leads the head-to-head series 4-0, with their most recent one coming in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Kenin defeated Jabeur in straight sets and went on to clinch her maiden Grand Slam trophy. This should be a highly entertaining clash as both have been looking great in their first two games. Jabeur has a great backhand slice that allows her to force her opponents to hit from uncomfortable positions. If she can force Kenin to play many low-skidding balls off her weaker forehand side, the Tunisian has the game to make the most of the higher balls that will be coming back.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Andrew:
This is a match to look forward to. Kenin will be looking to make it ten Grand Slam match wins in a row here while Jabeur has also been very impressive in 2020 taking her game to a new level. The Tunisian will make Kenin work hard and move all around the court but, as in their quarterfinal at the Australian Open, Kenin may just have too much athleticism and consistency to allow Jabeur to dictate.
Prediction: Kenin in 3
Maria Sakkari vs Amanda Anisimova
Jim:
This should be an excellent match. After missing last year’s US Open due to the untimely passing of her father, Anisimova looks determined to make an impact in 2020. But she faces an accomplished opponent in Sakkari, who has scored two battling wins so far in New York. This one looks likely to go the distance, but that should favour the more experienced Greek.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Damian:
Something has been wrong recently with Amanda Anisimova, as the talented youngster seems to be lacking confidence on the court. Even her fantastic backhand wing is not as spectacular as it used to be; for example last year, when she reached the semifinals at Roland Garros. Sakkari looked great at the Western & Southern Open and scored a confidence-building win over Serena Williams. While her first two rounds here were messy, it was mostly due to inspired performances from her opponents. On current form and with no crowd support for Anisimova, Sakkari should prevail.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Andrew:
These two are quite difficult to split in all the form lines. Similarly ranked, both looked impressive this week and enjoy the hard court surface. Sakkari is slightly more defensive and that may play into her favor in this match; if Anisimova can be made to go for too much then she can become erratic. Both of the Greek’s wins have been three sets this week and this may make it three in a row.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
