The second round starts on Day 3 of the US Open, with 16 women’s matches scheduled for Wednesday. As always, our writers here at LWOT will share their thoughts on all the matches for you. We split the 16 matches between four articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Coco Gauff vs Tatjana Maria, Victoria Azarenka vs Clara Burel, and Madison Keys vs Maya Joint. Predicting these matches are Jordan Reynolds, Manuel Traquete, and Ilemona Onekutu. Who do you think will advance?
US Open Day 3 Women’s Predictions
Peyton Stearns vs Daria Kasatkina
Jordan:
These two have met twice at Grand Slams this year. Kasatkina won at the Australian Open, before Stearns got her revenge at the French Open. Despite Kasatkina winning their last hard court match, I am backing Stearns to prevail. The American has improved her game considerably in recent months and I think she has the confidence to hit through Kasatkina’s defense.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Manuel:
Stearns won their previous meeting at Roland Garros this year and Kasatkina has been struggling a bit in recent times, but on a hard court Kasatkina should have the edge, even if it should be quite a close encounter.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Ilemona:
Stearns caused an upset when the two met in the second round of the French Open earlier this season. Playing at home in front a spirited crowd should give her more chances to reduce the gap in the head-to-head even further.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Harriet Dart vs Marta Kostyuk
Jordan:
Dart is a solid and gritty player, but there is nothing she does better than Kostyuk when the Ukrainian’s game is flowing. The Briton usually tries to outlast her opponents from the baseline. That will not work against Kostyuk.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Manuel:
They split wins in their previous matches, but Kostyuk is the far more solid and consistent player of the two. Even if she has not been playing great lately, she should be able to come through here.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Ilemona:
Martha Kostyuk faced a worn out McCartney Kessler and dispatched her routinely. Harriet Dart should test her after coming off a routine win of her own but only just.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Diane Parry vs Yafan Wang
Jordan:
Parry will have gained some confidence from her opening round win after a difficult couple of months. The Frenchwoman should enjoy the matchup against Wang. The Chinese player gives her opponents time on their shots, which is when Parry thrives the most.
Prediction: Parry in 2
Manuel:
On paper, it’s one of the closest matches of the day, one that could genuinely go either way. Both players are of a similar level and have been in similar form, so it will mostly come down to form on the day.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Ilemona:
Diane Parry will face a second Chinese opponent in round two after upsetting Wang Xinyu in two tiebreakers in the first round. There isn’t much separating these two players right now but Parry should have the slight edge.
Prediction: Parry in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Lucia Bronzetti
Jordan:
Sabalenka had a solid start and decent workout in the opening round. Bronzetti strikes the ball more imposingly than the World No. 2’s last opponent. But not to a level that is likely to come close to overwhelming Sabalenka.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Manuel:
Sabalenka’s amazing run to the title in Cincinnati reinforced her status as one of the favorites to win the US Open title. Her game can be absolutely overwhelming on a hard court and it would be a significant surprised if she didn’t make it very deep here in New York. Bronzetti is unlikely to be much of a threat here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Ilemona:
Aryna Sabalenka had a dream start to her campaign, brushing past Priscilla Hon in two easy sets. Bronzetti for her part secured a lead after the first set before her opponent retired after getting injured. Sabalenka should face little resistance here though given the golf in quality.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
