The first women’s semifinal match is set at the US Open, and we are in for one heck of a match. Both Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova are former Grand Slam finalists–Gauff reached the French Open final in 2022, while Muchova reached the final at the French Open this year. One of these women will have yet another chance at winning a maiden Grand Slam title. But who will it be? Our writers share their thoughts on the matches. Predicting this match are Nurein Ahmed, Jack Edward, Jordan Reynolds, Shane Black, and Damian Kust. Who do you think will win?
US Open Semifinal Predictions
Coco Gauff vs Karolina Muchova
Nurein:
Muchova’s mental fortitude is not being talked about enough. She’s lost two big finals this season, one of those against Coco Gauff in Cincinnati leading up to the US Open. But the beauty about tennis is that she doesn’t have time to dwell on past misses. She has erased the disappointment from her memory banks.
Muchova has mown down several players not mainly known for their power. Gauff is the polar opposite, and in as much as the Czech is a multi-skilled player, it is a massive task on her hands to combat the American’s ground stroke consistency.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Jack:
This one should be close. Muchova and Gauff’s meeting in Cincinnati isn’t entirely reflective of how this match-up will play out given both players (but particularly Muchova) were shattered. The Czech did show she has the firepower to wrestle control of the match for periods and she should be able to put more pressure on the Gauff forehand than most with her net forays.
All fortnight, however, Gauff has had the reserves to deal with adversity. Three of her matches went to a decider, yet she stepped up, using her serve as the weapon it is and turning up the heat on her groundstrokes when required. I expect to see some of Gauff’s best after an easy quarterfinal—her best should be a nightmare for Muchova’s second-tier power to break down.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
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Jordan:
Both women were phenomenal in their one-sided quarterfinal victories. These two met for the first time in the Cincinnati final a few weeks ago, with Gauff prevailing in straight sets. The American enters this contest as an even bigger favourite than she was before Cincinnati. But I am going for an upset here. The courts in New York are medium speed, and slightly slower than in Cincinnati, where Gauff routinely overwhelmed the Czech with pace. The US Open courts are slow enough for Muchova to hang in the points better and hit through her forehand, but still just about quick enough for her skillful net game to be impactful. I think that variety can unsettle Gauff in those conditions, and lead to an upset.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Shane:
Gauff and Muchova have been two of the best players in the world this season. Their consistency on all surfaces has been remarkable, and both women come into this match with incredible form. Gauff got the better of Muchova a few backs and has a pattern of play that works well against the Czech. I like Gauff, backed by the American crowd, to find her way into her first US Open final.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Damian:
Gauff took a lot of confidence out of that US Open warm-up swing and has been able to step it up and problem-solve exceptionally well in her matches so far. That’s the sort of boost that winning a lot can give you. Just a few weeks ago, she faced Muchova in the Cincinnati final and beat her 6-3 6-4. She has to be the favorite here again, although the smart Czech has such a wide repertoire of skills and is bound to come up with a better plan this time. But Gauff is at a stage right now where she makes you trust that she can figure out whatever comes her way. That is unless the pressure finally gets to her.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
