The second round of the 2022 US Open begins with Day 3 on Wednesday. The third day of play will feature several high-profile women’s matches, including Serena Williams as she continues to attempt to prolong her career. Will she win? As always, our writers share their thoughts on the matches. We also split the rest of the day’s matches between three other articles. One features Serena Williams vs Anett Kontaveit, the second headlines Madison Keys vs Camila Giorgi, and the third features Coco Gauff vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Predicting these matches are Jakub Bobro, Damian Kust, and Jim Smith. Who do you think will win?
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Caroline Garcia vs Anna Kalinskaya
Jakub:
Cincinnati champion Garcia is looking to advance past the third round at the US Open for the first time in her career and took a successful first step, beating lucky loser Kamilla Rakhimova. She will face another Russian, Kalinskaya, who is in middling form, so Garcia should be victorious again.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Damian:
Caroline Garcia was serving incredibly well again in her opener against Kamilla Rakhimova. This is again very much on her racket, she just needs to maintain the form that brought her so much success over the last couple of months.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jim:
One can never be quite sure what to expect from Garcia, but she is in undeniably impressive form having won her last seven matches and most of them comfortably. A run to the title in New York might be beyond her, but beating Kalinskaya shouldn’t be.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Alison Riske vs Camila Osorio
Jakub:
After beating wild card Eleana Yu, Riske-Amritraj is looking for her best US Open result since 2013. Osorio Serrano has struggled, earning just her second win since the French Open by beating Ann Li in the first round here. Riske can be unpredictable sometimes but she should be winning this match.
Prediction: Riske in 2
Damian:
Camila Osorio is an expert at constructing baseline rallies, but the power disparity in this one will be quite huge. Alison Riske should enjoy this matchup on hard courts and be able to put a lot of pressure on the Colombian from the ground.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Jim:
Riske-Amritraj delivered a composed performance to beat her inexperienced compatriot Eleana Yu in the first round and will be hoping for more of the same up against Osorio. The Colombian can be expected to offer more resistance, but Riske-Amritraj’s guile should see her safely into the third round.
Prediction: Riske in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Aleksandra Krunic
Jakub:
Krejcikova has struggled to play her best tennis consistently since coming back from injury at the French Open, now looking to win back-to-back matches for the first time since Hamburg in mid-July. The Czech does get a good draw here with Krunic, who does not really possess the weapons to hurt her on this faster hard court.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Damian:
Alexandra Krunic has a lead in the head-to-head, but they haven’t played recently. The Serbian’s craftiness will not be enough to take time away from Barbora Krejcikova and not let her play her game, which is usually a bad idea.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Jim:
It has been a difficult season for Krejcikova, but the 2021 French Open champion looked back to something approaching her best in the first round, thrashing Fernando Contreras Gomez. Krunic also impressed in beating Elina Avanesyan in the first round, but Krejcikova is a cut above the Russian and Krunic for that matter. If she plays anything like her best tennis, this should be comfortable.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Xiyu Wang
Jakub:
Sakkari defeated her slam nemesis this year, Tatjana Maria, taking a successful first step toward defending her semifinal run from last year. The Greek has struggled for form in recent weeks but I expect her to beat Wang here.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Damian:
Maria Sakkari overcame the tricky Tatiana Maria in the opening round. This is a matchup against a very talented player who’s not quite there yet and plays a much more conservative style than her previous opponent. Should be slightly easier.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Jim:
Sakkari took a while to get going against Tatjana Maria, but eventually finished strongly to beat the German 6-4 3-6 6-0. If she can maintain the level she displayed in the third set, she should have the beating of Wang.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
