Expect an entertaining day seven at the US Open with a number of star names set to take to the courts in Flushing Meadows. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule, but who will secure their spot in the quarterfinals?
US Open Day 7 Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Shuai Zhang
Johnny: It’s surprising for me to see Shuai Zhang at this stage of a major. It’s not so surprising to see Coco Gauff at this stage. Gauff was very impressive in a dominant straight set win over the dangerous Madison Keys in the previous round and heads into this match as a strong favorite in my eyes. Gauff beat Zhang 7-6 7-5 in Miami earlier this year in their only previous clash. I expect a more comfortable win for Gauff on this occasion. I don’t think Zhang has the game to problem Gauff if the American is playing good tennis, Gauff is consistently playing good tennis.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Jakub: Gauff has been impressive so far, getting to the fourth round for the first time in her career at the US Open with a focused win, dropping just five games to former finalist Madison Keys. Zhang comes in with good form, not dropping a set in the first three rounds as well as reaching the quarterfinals of Cincinnati in the lead-up. Gauff defeated the 33-year-old earlier this season in Miami and she should win here as well.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Damian: Gauff has handled her business incredibly well so far, not dropping a set despite having to face Madison Keys in round three. Zhang is dangerous and her flat ball-striking does damage in quicker conditions, but the American just seems like it would take a phenomenal effort to upset her right now.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
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Caroline Garcia vs Alison Riske-Amritraj
Johnny: Caroline Garcia is arguably the form player on tour right now. The Frenchwoman has shown no signs of letting up New York with three commanding straight set wins, including a 6-3 6-2 win over Bianca Andreescu in the previous round. Alison Riske-Amritraj has done well to scrap her way to this stage of the tournament, a good effort from her. Garcia is clearly player better tennis right now and does everything better than Riske-Amritraj. I suspect Garcia will enjoy this matchup and is probably about to record another comfortable win.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Jakub: Garcia has lived up to the billing of a potential dark horse here after her Cincinnati title run out of qualifying, now on an 11-match win streak and winning 16 out of her last 17 matches. Most recently, the Frenchwoman dispatched Bianca Andreescu in straight sets.
Riske-Amritraj has struggled in her last two matches, only beating Maria Camila Osorio Serrano and Xiyu Wang deep in the deciding set. The American has won all three of their previous meetings, though two of them were on grass which is her best surface by far so on current form, I feel confident picking Garcia here.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Damian: When Garcia’s playing like this, everything’s really on her racket. She’s going to take time away from Riske-Amritraj and keep every point short by blasting the ball and playing way inside the baseline. If she executes it as well as she’s been over the past three months, she should advance.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
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Ons Jabeur vs Veronika Kudermetova
Johnny: It’s important to take note of Veronika Kudermetova’s perfect 3-0 record over Ons Jabeur. All three matches ended in straight sets, including a 7-6 6-2 win in San Jose last month. I still think Jabeur is the slight favorite in this matchup. Jabeur is a clever player and has shown what she’s capable of on the biggest stages of late. I’m not sure Kudermetova will be able to execute the high-risk style required to get the job done under such pressure with so much on the line in this match. Expect Jabeur to find a way through.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Jakub: Jabeur has finally broken through in New York after three straight third-round exits at the US Open, coming back from a set down to defeat Shelby Rogers. Kudermetova will be a tough challenge though, winning all three of their previous meetings in straight sets, including earlier this season in San Jose. The Russian did not drop a set in her first three rounds and has a good shot at ending Jabeur’s journey here, though the Tunisian will not go down without a fight.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Damian: As much as it’s a test for Jabeur, it’s a more important evaluation for Kudermetova. She’s already beaten the Tunisian in San Jose a month ago and keeps quietly racking up points this year. This is where we find out if she’s capable of doing it on a big stage too. She’s got the quality, but we’ll see if she holds up mentally.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
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Ludmilla Samsonova vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Johnny: Ludmilla Samsonova is on a roll. Samsonova has now won 13 matches in a row having arrived in New York fresh from winning back-to-back titles in Washington and Cleveland. Ajla Tomljanovic has some special momentum of her own heading into this match having just won the biggest match of her career over Serena Williams in an epic.
Samsonova will be the favorite, but Tomljanovic is capable, she pushed Samsonova to three sets when they met in Washington a few weeks ago. This is huge opportunity for both, I’ll go with Tomljanovic. This is looking like a special tournament for the Aussie. IT might be the tournament Tomljanovic takes the next step. I feel Samsonova is overdue for a loss.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 3
Jakub: Tomljanovic delivered one of the best and most focused performances of her career in her last match, sending the greatest of all time in Williams into retirement. Will she be able to hold her focus in the next match though, while recovering physically from this three-hour battle? Samsonova is sure to test that.
The 23-year-old is one a 13-match winning streak as well as winning the last 18 sets of tennis she has played, picking up titles at Washington and Cleveland. Tomljanovic was her second-round opponent in the capital but could not follow up after winning the first set. Samsonova will take advantage of any weakness the Australian shows here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
Damian: Tomljanovic is one of just two players who managed to take a set off Samsonova during her 13-match win streak. She’s going to get another shot at the Russian and will be very pumped up following her win over Serena Williams. Samsonova’s serve has been a force so far, but she’ll not have an easy time here.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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