The second round of the US Open wraps up on Day 4, and there are 16 high-stakes women’s matches. Who will advance to the third round? This half of the draw is potentially wide open, so we could see anything happen. We split the day’s 16 matches between four articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Danielle Collins vs Cristina Busca, Jessica Pegula vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Victoria Azarenka vs Marta Kostyuk. Predicting these matches are Jakub Bobro, Glenys Furness, and Jack Edward.
US Open Day 4 Women’s Predictions
Paula Badosa vs Petra Martic
Jakub:
Badosa began her US Open with a difficult comeback win over Lesia Tsurenko and might have a tough time again with Martic. The Croat has made the second week at the US Open in two of her last three appearances and looked solid in her win over Varvara Gracheva. Martic also pushed Badosa to a third-set tiebreak in their meeting at Cincinnati last year and I feel that she can pull off the upset here.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Glenys:
Fourth seed Badosa overcame a tricky first round against her Ukranian opponent, needing the full three sets to do so. The second was an extremely close set until the tiebreak. Had Badosa lost that breaker then she would have been dumped out. Martic had an easier ride through the first round. The Czech was through in straight sets. This will be a close match to call
Prediction: Martic in 3
Jack:
Paula Badosa is in serious trouble here. These are not conditions suited to the Spaniard’s heavy linear strokes and Petra Martic is getting closer and closer to the sort of level that took her to number 14 in the world. I’m going to back the upset here.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Clara Burel vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Jakub:
Qualifier Burel pulled off a big upset over Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the opener while Van Uytvanck took out Venus Williams. The Belgian’s experience and variety should help her win out here.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 2
Glenys:
The Belgian ended Venus Williams’ singles run here, much to the chagrin of the assembled crowd. Van Uytvanck needed a straight-forward first set and a tiebreak second set to end the dream. Burel has had a great time so far, coming through qualifying and taking out the 25th seed in straight sets. Burel is growing into the event so will be a good opponent for the Belgian
Prediction: Burel in 3
Jack:
Can Clara Burel back up the upset of her career in defeating Elena Rybakina? Ordinarily I’d back somebody of her ranking to be a little mentally exhausted after defeating a reigning Wimbledon champion but Alison Van Uytvanck is not somebody that will be filled with confidence sporting a 2-8 record in New York. I can’t ignore the Belgian’s history here against an opponent on the rise.
Prediction: Burel in 2
Belinda Bencic vs Sorana Cirstea
Jakub:
Bencic sent off Andrea Petkovic to retirement in a tough 6-4 in the third set. Cirstea beat a different German, Laura Siegemund, in straight sets. The Romanian leads the head-to-head 2-0, including a win at Cincinnati two weeks ago, which makes me lean towards Cirstea.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Glenys:
The 13th-seeded Swiss didn’t have things her own way in the first round. Battling past Petkovic in a tight three setter should however give her pause and yet confidence. Cirstea didn’t have as much of a problem defeating Siegmund in straight sets. This will be an interesting match up but the Swiss should pull it off
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Jack:
In a fairly open quarter of the draw, Belinda Bencic sticks out as the most reliable of an unreliable lot. Nonetheless, there’s no guarantee she survives here – Sorana Cirstea just edged her in Cincinnati able to neutralise the fantastic backhand of Bencic with her own talent off that wing. Bencic will have a good chance of emerging from the quarter if she can get through this one but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Sloane Stephens
Jakub:
A blockbuster match-up here between the World No. 1 and 2017 US Open champion as well as a re-match from Cincinnati two weeks ago. Stephens has proven time and time again she can beat anyone and lose to anyone. The crowd should be on her side in a big stadium but I expect Swiatek to hold her nerve and win out.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Glenys:
Top seed Swiatek cruised through her opening match, dropping only 3 games. The Pole looks to be on great form so far. Even though it’s still very early in the slam. Stephens needed the full three sets to overcome her German first round opponent. As much as the Americans would love Stephens to take this the Pole definitely seems to have the edge
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Jack:
There’s no doubt Iga Swiatek is vulnerable at this tournament. It’s still taken quality performances to defeat her since Wimbledon but she won’t be filled with confidence by her 5-3 record in that time. Sloane Stephens has the game to rush Swiatek in these conditions but will have to play exceptionally well to actually notch the win. I’m not overly convinced by Stephens’ form but I can see things getting tricky.
Prediction: Świątek in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
