The rain on Tuesday meant that Thursday’s matchups weren’t quite set until Wednesday evening, which delayed our picks. Never fear, though. We’re here to predict the best women’s matches on Day 4 of the US Open, including a great one between Yulia Putinseva and Agniezska Radwanska. Our panelists today are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, and guest (and former LWOT editor) Hugo Jennings.
Panelists Predictions US Open Women’s Day 4
Karolina Pliskova vs Nicole Gibbs
Yesh:
Pliskova was in beastly form in her opening match, and not even an American crowd can do something to help Gibbs here. This match should be over fast.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Hugo:
Mats Wilander has already tipped Pliskova to win a Grand Slam in the future, and it is very unlikely that the World No. 1 will have any trouble against Gibbs, despite the American’s strong record in hard court tournaments on home soil.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Steen:
Pliskova should dominate Gibbs in this one. Nicole was great to qualify but Pliskova is a major step up.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
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Ons Jabeur vs Coco Vandeweghe
Yesh:
Jabeur is having the season of her life, following her great French Open run with a good win over NCAA champion Brienne Minor in the first round here. Beating Vandeweghe in front of an American crowd will be a tall task, though.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Hugo:
Vandeweghe already showed her class on hard court in Australia earlier this year. If she can see off the likes of Kerber and Muguruza in straight sets, there’s no reason why she won’t do the same to Jabeur.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
Steen:
Another American for Ons Jabeur; this one is better than her R1 opposition, though, and with home support should prevail.
Prediction: Vandeweghe in 2
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Jelena Ostapenko vs Sorana Cirstea
Yesh:
I smell an upset coming here, as the French Open champion struggled in her first match. Cirstea has shown flashes of brilliance in her career, and I’ve been waiting for her to finally show it on a big stage. I feel like that stage is now.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Hugo:
This could be quite an even match, but given Ostapenko’s sky-high confidence at the moment and Cirstea’s poor record in slams, expect the Latvian youngster to edge it in three.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Steen:
A great opportunity for Ostapenko with the field opening up. She plays beyond her years and should take it.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
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Shelby Rogers vs Daria Gavrilova
Yesh:
Gavrilova has quietly become a very consistent player. Rogers has the talent to beat her, and in front of an American crowd this match should be exciting. I think consistency wins this one, though, but it will be tight.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 3
Hugo:
This match could provide a shock, at least in rankings terms. Gavrilova has a shocking record at Flushing Meadows, and Rogers showed a glimpse of her hard court pedigree by beating Simona Halep in Australia earlier this year.
Prediction: Rogers in 3
Steen:
Shelby Rogers finally won a match. Gavrilova, by contrast, won New Haven and is in good form. Presuming fatigue isn’t a factor, the Australian should win.
Prediction: Gavrilova in 2
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Agnieszka Radwanska vs Yulia Putintseva
Yesh:
This should be one of the better matches of the round. Radwanska has struggled this year, but her talent always makes her a threat. Putintseva has the talent to hang with anyone, and this feels like as good a match as any for her to get her first win over the Pole. Ultimately, though, I think that Radwanska just has a tiny bit too much.
Prediction: Radwanska in 3
Hugo:
Despite Radwanska’s somewhat shaky performances in the Slams this year, it is too early in Putintseva’s career for her to have much of a hope of competing with her. The Pole has a big power and height advantage, so she should be able to get through this one in straight sets.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
Steen:
Radwanska leads the h2h 2-0 and simply put is the better player, she’d have to underperform to lose this.
Prediction: Radwanska in 2
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